Sahara Energy Orders Two VLGCs for 1.25 Billion Expansion Plan

Sahara Energy, a subsidiary of the Sahara Group, has signed an agreement with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to build two very large gas carriers (VLGCs) with delivery scheduled for mid-2028. This marks Sahara Energy's entry into the VLGC market, a significant step in its strategic growth plan.

The two 88,000-cubic-meter vessels, costing approximately $125 million each, will feature dual-fuel propulsion capable of carrying both LPG and liquid ammonia. Industry sources indicate that these VLGCs will be registered under Sahara Energy’s subsidiary, West Africa Gas Ltd Energy (WAGL).

WAGL, a joint venture between Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Ocean Bed Trading, currently operates four medium-sized gas carriers (MGCs) ranging from 23,000 to 38,200 cubic meters. The company is set to expand its fleet to six ships by early 2026, with the delivery of two 40,000-cubic-meter MGCs ordered in 2023 at a cost of $71 million each.

This VLGC order is part of Sahara Group’s $1 billion investment plan, which includes developing over 120,000 tons of LPG storage facilities across 11 African countries. In April 2025, Sahara Energy announced plans to add 68,000 tons of LPG storage capacity, further solidifying its position as a key player in the African LPG market.