ADNOC L&S Deploys $1.3bn in Major VLCC and VLGC Fleet Expansion

## ADNOC L&S Deploys $1.3bn in Major VLCC and VLGC Fleet Expansion Abu Dhabi-listed ADNOC Logistics & Services (ADNOC L&S) has executed a sweeping $1.3 billion fleet acquisition programme, snapping up 11 vessels across two key tanker segments in a move that underscores the company's aggressive growth ambitions in global energy shipping. According to Splash247, the deal encompasses six Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) and five Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs), secured through a mix of secondhand market purchases and newbuild resale transactions. Nine of the 11 vessels — all six VLCCs and three of the VLGCs — have been acquired on the secondhand market and are expected to be delivered in the near term, while the remaining two VLGCs represent newbuild resale positions. ### Strategic Significance The scale of the transaction positions ADNOC L&S as one of the more active fleet acquirers in the current market cycle. VLCCs remain the workhorses of global crude oil trade, capable of carrying approximately two million barrels per voyage, while VLGCs serve the rapidly expanding liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and ammonia transport markets — a segment of growing strategic importance as the energy transition accelerates demand for cleaner-burning fuels and hydrogen derivatives. For ADNOC L&S, the dual-segment approach reflects a broader strategy to diversify its tanker exposure while capitalising on its parent company's position as one of the world's largest hydrocarbon producers. Owning dedicated tonnage provides ADNOC with greater control over its supply chain logistics and reduces reliance on the spot charter market. ### Market Context The acquisition comes at a time of sustained interest in large tanker assets. VLCC values have remained elevated relative to historical averages, supported by longer voyage distances driven by ongoing trade route disruptions and shifting crude export patterns. The VLGC segment has similarly attracted investor attention, buoyed by strong LPG export volumes from the United States and the Middle East. By committing $1.3 billion across 11 ships, ADNOC L&S is signalling confidence in long-term demand fundamentals for both crude and gas shipping — a notable statement of intent from a state-backed operator with direct access to upstream production volumes. The full delivery schedule for the acquired fleet has not yet been disclosed, though the secondhand vessels are anticipated to join the fleet in the coming months. *Source: Splash247*