Angola is strengthening its liquefied natural gas logistics capacity as it moves to expand production and exports, with state oil company Sonangol ordering new LNG carriers to support the country’s long-term energy strategy.
The company has placed an order for two LNG vessels worth about US$511 million with South Korea’s HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, according to reports and regulatory filings cited this week.
Each vessel will have a capacity of 174,000 cubic metres and is expected to be delivered by September 2029, the filings showed. The ships will be built by subsidiary HD Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries.
The order follows an earlier agreement this year for another LNG carrier valued at about US$251 million, also awarded to the same South Korean shipbuilding group.
Once delivered, the vessels will transport liquefied natural gas from Angola’s production facilities, particularly the Angola LNG project in Soyo, supporting efforts to increase export capacity.
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The expansion forms part of Angola’s broader strategy to monetise its natural gas resources and reduce reliance on crude oil revenues.
Angola’s LNG plant in Soyo has a production capacity of around 5.2 million tonnes per year but has historically operated below capacity due to insufficient upstream gas supply.
To address this gap, upstream development has accelerated in recent years. In March 2026, TotalEnergies and partners began developing the Quiluma and Maboqueiro gas fields under the New Gas Consortium, expected to significantly boost supply to the LNG plant.
Meanwhile, Chevron confirmed production from its Sanha Lean Gas project, which is already feeding additional volumes into the Soyo facility.
Industry officials say these combined investments are intended to ensure a more stable feedstock supply, enabling Angola to operate its LNG infrastructure closer to full capacity in coming years.
Sonangol’s existing fleet currently includes oil tankers and several gas transport vessels, but the addition of new carriers is expected to improve export flexibility and reduce logistical bottlenecks.
The government has prioritised gas development as part of a wider energy transition strategy, viewing LNG as a key bridge fuel that can generate revenue while supporting industrial growth.
Analysts say Angola’s push reflects a broader trend among African producers seeking to capitalise on global demand for LNG, particularly in Europe and Asia, where energy security concerns have boosted interest in diversified suppliers.
However, challenges remain, including ensuring consistent upstream supply, financing infrastructure expansion and managing global price volatility in gas markets.
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If successfully implemented, the expansion could position Angola as a more prominent LNG exporter in the Atlantic basin, complementing its established role in crude oil production.
