Chinese gas carrier owner CYH Shipping has been linked to an order for up to six VLGCs at Jiangnan Shipyard.

Shipbuilding sources report the Hong Kong-based company has signed for four firm 90，000 cum units at the Shanghai yard， with options for two more.

The firm ships are expected to deliver in 2030.No price has been disclosed， and neither CYH nor Jiangnan has publicly announced the deal.

If confirmed， the order would mark CYH’s first major newbuilding move in the large gas carrier sector and extend a rapid shift towards LPG shipping.

The company picked up two secondhand VLGCs earlier this year after exiting tanker ownership late last year through the sale of its 2010-built LR2.

CYH’s website describes the company as focused on gas transportation， with a strategy built around owning and operating vessels for LPG trades.

The reported Jiangnan order would move the company from secondhand acquisitions into newbuildings and give it exposure to one of China’s most established gas carrier builders.

Jiangnan has built a strong position in the VLGC segment in recent years， which has since also expanded into larger ammonia， ethane and LNG carriers.

Earlier this month， ADNOC Logistics & Services returned to Jiangnan for four 175，000 cu m LNG carriers in a deal worth about $900m， with delivery scheduled in 2029.

The CYH order， if firmed， would add another Chinese private owner to a VLGC newbuilding market that has seen a busy run of contracting this year.