Funds advised by Basalt Infrastructure signed an agreement to add the modern newbuild 180,000-cbm LNG carrier into its Vanadis LNG platform.
Basalt said in a statement on Friday the addition brings the Vanadis platform to a total of three vessels and demonstrates “successful delivery of Basalt’s strategy to add further scale and new charter relationships to its fleet.”
The vessel is expected to be delivered during 2027 and will be employed on a long-term, fixed time charter to Japan’s LNG trader and power firm Jera, it said.
This investment brings together “existing operating partners and counterparties with an exceptional track record of delivery.”
Basalt said the vessel will be built at Samsung Heavy and will be equipped with the latest X-DF propulsion system.
Celsius recently said it has signed a long-term deal to charter one 180,000-cbm LNG carrier to Jera.
The shipping firm also confirmed it has ordered its 21st 180,000-cbm LNG carrier, which will be delivered in 2027.
Last month, Samsung Heavy secured its first LNG carrier order in 2025, saying that it will build the LNG carrier for an unidentified owner in Oceania.
The shipbuilder will deliver the LNG carrier by June 2027.
The order has a price tag of 379.6 billion won or about $261 million.
Last year, Celsius took delivery of the sixth 180,000-cbm vessel of ten on order at Samsung Heavy.
In addition to Samsung Heavy vessels, Celisus has ordered six 180,000-cbm LNG carriers from China Merchants Heavy Industry in Jiangsu.
More LNG carriers
Basalat said the vessel will be managed and operated by Celsius Shipping, its existing operating partner across its Vanadis and Freyja LNG portfolios.
The investment firm said it expects to continue to grow the Vanadis LNG fleet over the coming months.
John Hanna, partner and head of Europe at Basalt commented, “we are delighted to continue our successful partnership with Celsius with the addition of what will be Basalt’s sixth newbuild LNG vessel. We continue to view LNG as an important transitional fuel and key to supporting security of supply in global energy markets.”
In August 2024, Basalt announced an agreement to acquire two modern operational LNG carriers, seeding Vanadis LNG, a portfolio of LNG vessels.
The vessels in question are the 2020-built Celisus Copenhagen and the 2021-built Celisus Carolina.
According to Basalt’s website, the Freyja LNG portfolio includes seven LNG carriers.
