# China Merchants LNG carrier reaches keel laying milestone in South Korea

- **Source:** https://pelavox.com/china-merchants-lng-carrier-keel-laying-samsung/
- **Publisher:** pelavox. (The voice of shipping)
- **Author:** Jason Nicholson
- **Published:** 2026-10-28T14:00:00+00:00
- **Updated:** 2026-10-27T19:23:31+00:00
- **Section:** Shipping / Gas Shipping
- **Type:** News
- **Topics:** China Merchants Energy Shipping, LNG Carriers, Samsung Heavy Industries, Schulte Marine Concept, Shipbuilding

The construction of a new LNG carrier ordered by China Merchants Energy Shipping has reached the keel laying stage at Samsung Heavy Industries’ Geoje shipyard in South Korea.

The vessel, named *AL SHAHEEN*, has a cargo capacity of 174,000 cubic metres and carries hull number SN2699. It is the third vessel in a series of six LNG carriers ordered by China Merchants Energy Shipping.

Schulte Marine Concept (SMC), which is supervising the vessel’s construction, announced the milestone on 26 October 2026.

The LNG carrier will be classed by Bureau Veritas (BV) and constructed in accordance with Hong Kong SAR flag requirements. Its delivery is currently scheduled for 16 August 2027.

The keel laying follows the vessel’s steel cutting ceremony, which SMC announced in March 2026, marking further progress in the shipbuilding programme at Samsung Heavy Industries.

The latest milestone concerns the vessel’s construction progress, with delivery remaining scheduled for August 2027.

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Cite as: "China Merchants LNG carrier reaches keel laying milestone in South Korea", pelavox., 28 October 2026, https://pelavox.com/china-merchants-lng-carrier-keel-laying-samsung/