CCEC Solidifies LNG Dominance with $770M Newbuild Carrier Order

ATHENS, Greece – December 29, 2025 – Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ: CCEC), a major force in international shipping, has announced a significant fleet expansion with a $769.5 million order for three state-of-the-art Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carriers. The deal, placed with South Korea's renowned HD Hyundai Samho shipyard, signals a powerful bet on the future of the global LNG market and further cements CCEC’s position as the largest US-listed owner of these critical vessels.

The newly ordered ships are scheduled for delivery in the third quarter of 2028 and the first quarter of 2029. This timing is no coincidence; it is a strategic move designed to align with a widely anticipated boom in LNG production and demand expected toward the end of the decade.

Riding the Next Wave of Global Energy Demand

CCEC's decision to invest heavily now is rooted in clear market projections. The company notes that global LNG liquefaction capacity is forecast to expand from 493 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) today to at least 649 mtpa by 2030. This surge is driven by a confluence of factors, including the global energy transition, where natural gas is seen as a crucial bridge fuel, and a profound geopolitical realignment of energy supply chains.

As nations seek to enhance their energy security and diversify away from traditional pipeline sources, the demand for seaborne LNG transport is set to intensify. CCEC is positioning its fleet to directly service this next wave of LNG projects coming online. By securing delivery slots for 2028 and 2029, the company aims to introduce new capacity into what its leadership anticipates will be an undersupplied market.

“This is an opportunistic transaction for CCEC, which closely aligns with our executed strategy and forward objectives,” said Jerry Kalogiratos, CEO of CCEC, in the company's official announcement. He emphasized that the vessels' deliveries are expected to “coincide with increased demand for LNG shipping from a number of LNG projects that are expected to come online in this timeline.”

A Fleet Built for Efficiency and a Competitive Edge

The three new vessels are not just adding numbers to the fleet; they represent the pinnacle of modern LNG shipping technology. Designed with significant upgrades, they are expected to be among the most efficient carriers in the world, featuring superior fuel consumption and minimal boil-off rates—the natural evaporation of LNG during transit. These technological advantages are critical, as they translate directly into lower operational costs, higher profitability, and a reduced environmental footprint, making the vessels highly attractive to charterers with stringent efficiency and emissions standards.

With this order, CCEC's fleet will grow to include 12 LNG carriers currently in operation and nine next-generation vessels under construction. This expanded fleet, which also includes 10 other specialized gas carriers on order for transporting LCO2 and other gases, underscores a decisive strategic pivot towards clean energy transportation. The company has been systematically divesting from its legacy container ship assets to recycle capital and sharpen its focus on the gas sector, a move that has strengthened its financial position while clarifying its long-term vision.

A Disciplined Strategy of Growth and Value Creation

Underpinning this massive expansion is a carefully balanced business strategy. CCEC aims to create “scarcity value” by controlling a large fleet of high-specification vessels while maintaining “commercial optionality.” This dual approach involves securing a mix of long-term charters and leaving some vessels available for the more volatile but potentially lucrative spot market.

This strategy is already paying dividends. The company reports approximately $3.0 billion in contracted revenue with an average remaining charter duration of 6.9 years, providing a stable and predictable cash flow foundation. This financial stability allows CCEC to pursue opportunistic growth, such as the latest vessel order, from a position of strength.

The financial commitment is substantial. The company's updated capital expenditure schedule reveals a total investment of over $2.4 billion in its newbuild program through the first quarter of 2029, with nearly $1.92 billion dedicated to the LNG carrier fleet alone. By the end of 2025, CCEC will have already paid $386.1 million in advances to shipyards, demonstrating its robust financial planning and commitment to the expansion.

By securing what its CEO describes as “attractive pricing and payment terms,” CCEC is not just expanding but is strategically building a modern, highly sought-after fleet. This move ensures the company is not only the largest US-listed player in the LNG shipping space but also one of the best-equipped to meet the evolving demands of the global energy market for years to come.