Stolt-Nielsen Limited has agreed to sell a 50% stake in Avenir LNG to Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), forming a joint venture focused on LNG bunkering and small-scale supply.
The transaction, signed through Stolt-Nielsen Gas Ltd., will see the two companies jointly develop Avenir LNG, which operates a global fleet of LNG bunker vessels.
Avenir LNG, founded in 2017, has established itself in the LNG bunkering segment as demand grows for lower-emission marine fuels.
The partners said the deal will support expansion in small-scale LNG and LNG bunkering, with LNG and bio-LNG increasingly adopted as practical options for reducing shipping emissions.
Stolt-Nielsen Limited said the agreement builds on its existing relationship with NYK Line, while adding shipping and logistics expertise to support Avenir LNG’s next phase of growth.
NYK Line said the move strengthens its position in LNG and bio-LNG bunkering, as the industry continues to scale up alternative fuel supply chains.
Completion of the transaction is expected in mid–2026, subject to regulatory approvals.
