Samsung Heavy tops last year’s order intake with latest $1.2 bn LNG, oil tanker deal
Samsung Heavy Industries Co. has announced securing orders worth $1.2 billion for six vessels, including four large liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and two crude oil tankers. The South Korean shipbuilder revealed that the contracts were obtained from a shipowner in Oceania, pushing its commercial shipbuilding order intake above last year’s total.
Surpassing Previous Records
With this latest deal, Samsung Heavy Industries’ commercial shipbuilding orders for this year have reached $7.3 billion, surpassing the $7.1 billion booked in the entirety of 2025. This achievement also puts the company 28% above its annual commercial shipbuilding target of $5.7 billion, showcasing the strong demand in the global newbuilding market despite economic uncertainties.
Strong LNG Carrier Demand
The company has secured orders for a total of 42 commercial vessels this year, including a variety of ship types such as LNG carriers, ethane carriers, gas carriers, container ships, and crude oil tankers. The surge in orders was attributed to a significant increase in global ship orders, with newbuilding orders worldwide rising by 66% in the first half compared to the same period last year. Particularly, the demand for LNG carriers has been exceptionally robust.
The latest contract highlights Samsung Heavy Industries’ expertise in LNG vessels, a segment that has become highly profitable in the global shipbuilding industry. Energy companies are expanding their export capacities and seeking modern, fuel-efficient fleets, driving the demand for LNG carriers.
On Track to Meet Annual Goals
Including offshore and marine engineering projects, Samsung Heavy has secured a total of $11.7 billion in orders across 44 projects this year, representing about 84% of its full-year target of $13.9 billion. The company emphasized its ability to meet customers’ long-haul transportation requirements, with a focus on profitability and meeting customer needs.
Analysts noted that Korea’s major shipbuilders are experiencing momentum in demand for LNG carriers and energy-related vessels, leading to high-value contracts and healthy order backlogs. Samsung Heavy Industries’ latest achievements reflect the industry’s resilience and capacity to adapt to evolving market demands.
