John Fredriksen-controlled SFL Corp has placed a $1bn newbuilding order for five LNG dual-fuel 16,000-teu neo-panamax ships, sources tell TradeWinds.
The vessels have been booked with China’s New Times Shipbuilding, sources added.
SFL is said to be paying at least $200m each for the newbuildings. It is not known if the contract includes any options.
Sources added that New Times will build the quintet in the new dry dock it is planning to add to the shipyard. It is looking to deliver the vessels between 2027 and 2028.
SFL chief executive Ole Hjertaker told TradeWinds the company does not comment on market rumours, but said: “We are continually discussing various projects with shipyards and others.
“We typically look for projects that can combine the acquired vessels with long-term employment.
“So far this year, SFL has acquired three LR2 tankers and two LNG dual-fuel 33,000-dwt chemical tankers,” he said.
SFL bought the three 115,000-dwt product carriers from Fredriksen private company Seatankers in a $230m deal. The LR2s are being built at New Times and are slated to be delivered this year.
The product carriers will be chartered out long-term to a “world-leading energy and commodities company”, SFL said.
As for the chemical tankers, SFL spent $114m to buy the 33,300-dwt Gold Trader II (built 2022) and Gold Trader III (built 2023) from Japan’s Nisshin Shipping.
SFL has chartered out the two chemical tankers to Stolt Tankers for at least eight years.
One tanker will be on a fixed-rate time charter and the other employed in a pool with similar-size vessels.
Surge in demand
Jiangsu-based New Times is said to have submitted its new dry dock plan to the provincial government and is awaiting approval.
There is a surge in demand for container ship newbuildings, according to brokers.
Liner giants such as CMA CGM, AP Moller-Maersk, PIL, Hapag-Lloyd, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, Zim and several others are said to be looking to order new boxships themselves or charter newbuildings from shipowners such as Seaspan Corp, Tsakos, Capital Maritime and Eastern Pacific Shipping.
