Navigator Gas Announces Joint Venture with Amon Maritime For Construction of Two New Ammonia Gas Carriers

Rhea-AI Summary

Navigator Holdings (NYSE:NVGS) has formed a joint venture with Amon Maritime, acquiring 80% stake in Navigator Amon Shipping AS. The venture will construct two 51,530 cubic meter ammonia-fueled carriers at an average cost of $84 million per vessel, with deliveries scheduled for June and October 2028.

Each vessel project received a NOK 90 million ($9 million) grant from Norwegian agency Enova. The vessels will operate under 5-year time charters with a blue-chip industry leader. The joint venture will finance the majority through commercial bank financing, with remaining capital contributed by Navigator and Amon Maritime.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• Significant capital investment required with $84 million cost per vessel
• Long lead time with deliveries not until 2028
• Dependence on commercial bank financing for majority of purchase price

News Market Reaction

+3.48%

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+3.48% News Effect

On the day this news was published, NVGS gained 3.48%, reflecting a moderate positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

LONDON, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Navigator Holdings Ltd. (described herein as “Navigator” or the “Company”) (NYSE: NVGS), the owner and operator of the world’s largest fleet of handysize liquefied gas carriers, is pleased to announce that on July 14, 2025, it has entered into a joint venture (the “Joint Venture”) with Amon Maritime (“Amon Maritime”).

Pursuant to the Joint Venture, Navigator will acquire approximately 80% of the joint venture company, Navigator Amon Shipping AS, of Norway, with Amon Maritime holding approximately 20%, subject to the investment terms and conditions. The Joint Venture intends to construct two new 51,530 cubic meter capacity ammonia fuelled liquefied ammonia carriers (the “Vessels”), which will also be capable of carrying liquefied petroleum gas.

The Joint Venture has entered into contracts with Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. to build the Vessels, with deliveries scheduled to take place in June and October 2028 respectively, at an average price of $84 million per vessel. Importantly, each of the vessel projects were awarded a NOK 90 million (approx. $9 million) investment grant from the Norwegian government agency Enova. It is expected that the Joint Venture will finance the majority of the purchase price of the Vessels through commercial bank finance, with the remainder sourced from capital contributions from Navigator and Amon Maritime. Navigator expects to finance its share of the capital contributions from available cash resources, and these investments are expected to be accretive to the Company’s earnings.

Once delivered to the Joint Venture, subject to customary conditions, each of the Vessels will be operated under the Joint Venture pursuant to long-term time charters with a blue-chip industry leader, each for a period of five years from delivery.

Mads Peter Zacho, Chief Executive Officer of Navigator, said:

“Expanding our fleet with two modern ammonia carriers capable of using clean ammonia as a fuel, operating in a long-term time charter, is a strategic enabler in meeting the growing demand for a sustainable fuel source in a net-zero economy. These modern vessels will be equipped with newly developed technologies that comply with present and future environmental regulations and will thereby deliver great value to both our customers and our shareholders.”

André Risholm, Chief Executive Officer of Amon Maritime, commented:
“Amon Maritime was founded with a vision to lead the green shift in shipping by pioneering the use of ammonia fuel. We are proud to realize this vision alongside our forward-looking and competent partners in Navigator Gas, serving ammonia-powered transportation services to market leaders. We are very satisfied to expand and strengthen our relationship with Navigator Gas further by constructing and operating these vessels.”

About Navigator Gas
Navigator Holdings Ltd. (described herein as “Navigator Gas” or the “Company”) is the owner and operator of the world’s largest fleet of handysize liquefied gas carriers and a global leader in the seaborne transportation services of petrochemical gases, such as ethylene and ethane, liquefied petroleum gas (“LPG”) and ammonia and owns a 50% share, through a joint venture, in an ethylene export marine terminal at Morgan’s Point, Texas on the Houston Ship Channel, USA. Navigator Gas’ fleet consists of 58 semi- or fully-refrigerated liquefied gas carriers, 27 of which are ethylene and ethane capable. The Company plays a vital role in the liquefied gas supply chain for energy companies, industrial consumers and commodity traders, with its sophisticated vessels providing an efficient and reliable ‘floating pipeline’ between the parties, connecting the world today, creating a sustainable tomorrow.

Navigator Gas’ common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “NVGS”.

About Amon Maritime
Amon Maritime is leading the green shift in shipping, by pioneering the use of ammonia as fuel across ship newbuildings, ship management, technology development and bunkering infrastructure. It is a maritime project development company, working with leading technology, commercial, and financial partners, to build, own and operate ammonia–powered ships – and thus realize its vision of creating the World’s first carbon free shipping company. The company is privately owned by its founders, leading employees and Mosvolds Rederi, the maritime investment arm of the Glastad Group.

For media enquiries or further information, please contact:

Alexander Walster
Media Contact
Email: communications@navigatorgas.com
Verde, 10 Bressenden Place, London, SW1E 5DH, UK
Tel: +44 (0)7857 796 052, +44 (0)20 7045 4114

Navigator Gas Investor Relations
Email: investorrelations@navigatorgas.com, randy.giveans@navigatorgas.com
333 Clay Street, Suite 2400, Houston, Texas, U.S.A. 77002
Tel: +1 713 373 6197, +44 (0)20 7340 4850

Investor Relations / Media Advisors
Nicolas Bornozis / Paul Lampoutis
Capital Link – New York
Tel: +1-212-661-7566
Email: navigatorgas@capitallink.com

Forward looking statements
This press release contains certain “forward-looking” statements (as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission) concerning plans and objectives of management for future operations or economic performance, or assumptions related thereto, including statements concerning the formation of the Joint Venture, the acquisition of new vessels by the Joint Venture, any related time charter, the performance of the Joint Venture and the benefits of the transaction to Navigator and its shareholders. In addition, Navigator Gas or Amon and their respective representatives may from time to time make other oral or written statements that are also forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify the forward-looking statements by the use of words such as “may,” “could,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “forecast,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “propose,” “potential,” “continue,” “scheduled,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology.

These forward-looking statements involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those set forth in the periodic reports Navigator files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

All forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date of this press release. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Navigator or Amon to predict all of these factors. Further, we cannot assess the impact of each such factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be materially different from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Navigator or Amon expressly disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether because of future events, new information, a change in our views or expectations, or otherwise. Navigator makes no prediction or statement about the performance of its common stock.

Category: General

FAQ

What is the value of Navigator Gas (NVGS) new vessel construction deal?

The deal involves construction of two vessels at an average price of $84 million per vessel, totaling approximately $168 million.

When will Navigator Gas (NVGS) receive delivery of the new ammonia carriers?

The vessels are scheduled for delivery in June and October 2028 respectively.

What government support did NVGS receive for the ammonia carrier project?

Each vessel project received a NOK 90 million (approximately $9 million) investment grant from Norwegian government agency Enova.

What is Navigator Gas ownership percentage in the Amon Maritime joint venture?

Navigator will acquire approximately 80% of the joint venture company, Navigator Amon Shipping AS, with Amon Maritime holding the remaining 20%.

How long are the time charter contracts for NVGS new ammonia carriers?

The vessels will operate under 5-year time charter contracts with a blue-chip industry leader from delivery.