# J.P. Morgan adds two Samsung Heavy VLGCs to expand gas fleet

*The 307.4 billion won deal pushes the Korean shipyard past its annual commercial target and tightens Geoje berth availability for clean fuel carriers through 2030.*

**Published:** October 5, 2026  
**By:** Hyun-jung Lee  
**Section:** Shipbuilding & Defense — South Korea  
**Format:** Why It Matters  
**Confidence:** medium  
**Source:** https://eastasiabrief.com/shipbuilding/j-p-morgan-adds-two-samsung-heavy-vlgcs-expand-537  
**Publisher:** East Asia Brief (https://eastasiabrief.com/)

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## What to know

- J.P. Morgan expands Samsung Heavy VLGC series to six ships with a 307.4 billion won order
- Korean shipbuilder achieves 132% of its $5.7 billion annual merchant target with 44 vessels booked
- Delivery window committed through Feb. 28, 2030 as Korean shipyard drydock slots fill into next decade

![Shipyard workers stand on a dock beside a massive commercial vessel under construction. (AI-generated image)](https://eastasiabrief.com/media/2026-10-05-7fe69c1fd0f5.webp)
*Shipyard workers stand on a dock beside a massive commercial vessel under construction. (AI-generated image)*

J.P. Morgan Asset Management on Oct. 4 expanded its order backlog at Samsung Heavy Industries by adding two very large gas carriers, lifting its cumulative gas series at the yard to six vessels.

The contract carries a value of 307.4 billion won ($226 million), representing 2.9% of the builder's 2025 revenue. The transaction lifted Samsung Heavy's 2026 commercial vessel intake to $7.5 billion, surpassing its annual merchant target of $5.7 billion by 32%.

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Cite as: East Asia Brief, "J.P. Morgan adds two Samsung Heavy VLGCs to expand gas fleet," October 5, 2026. https://eastasiabrief.com/shipbuilding/j-p-morgan-adds-two-samsung-heavy-vlgcs-expand-537