BW LPG originated in 1935 when Sigval Bergesen d.y. founded a tanker business in Stavanger, Norway. Post-WWII, the fleet expanded with larger vessels and strong ties to oil companies. In 1967, he entered dry bulk by acquiring his son’s earlier business, making the company a leading ship-owning group by the 1970s.
More than 80 years in maritime energy
In 1955, Sir Yue-Kong (Y.K) Pao bought his first vessel, a 27-year-old coal-burning freighter renamed the Golden Alpha, and founded World-Wide Shipping. In 2003, World-Wide Shipping acquired Bergesen, Norway’s largest shipping company founded in 1935, and in 2005, the business was re-branded as BW. The LPG segment of the BW business was listed in 2013. Today, BW LPG owns and operates the world’s largest fleet of LPG vessels and continues to deliver growth and value to society and stakeholders.
- 2025
Closed five financing facilities, totaling ~US$1.2b
Finalised the delivery of two VLGCs and renewed the BW LPG India fleet - 2024
Dual-listed on the New York Stock Exchange
Deal with Enterprise Terminal to increase cargo volume in the US Gulf
Acquired 12 VLGCs from Avance Gas
Redomiciled BW LPG from Bermuda to Singapore - 2023
All 15 LPG retrofitted dual-fuel-powered VLGCs on water
- 2022
Acquired Vilma Oil’s LPG trading operations
- 2021
12 LPG-powered VLGCs on water
Maas Capital acquired a 42% stake in BW LPG India - 2020
* World’s first LPG-powered VLGC on water
BW LPG India became India’s largest VLGC owner and operator - 2019
Launched Product Services Division
- 2018
Announced plan to retrofit VLGCs with pioneering LPG propulsion technology
- 2017
Established BW LPG India
- 2016
Acquired Aurora LPG
- 2013
Acquired Maersk Tankers’ VLGC Fleet
- 2013
Listed BW LPG on the Oslo Stock Exchange
- 2005
Created common identity with BW
- 2003
World-Wide Shipping acquired Bergesen to become BW Group
- 1979
World-Wide Shipping became the largest independent ship owner with >200 vessels
- 1955
World-Wide Shipping founded in Singapore by Sir Y.K. Pao
- 1935
Bergesen founded in Norway by Sigval Bergesen
A part of BW Group
BW LPG leads in LPG shipping, using technology for cleaner-burning gas. Listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange since 2013 and the New York Stock Exchange since 2024, our heritage dates back to the 1930s.
Associated with BW Group, we operate over 450 vessels, including the largest gas fleet globally. Our CARE values guide our actions.
