Denmark's Celsius Tankers has chartered out the first of its four speculatively ordered LNG carrier newbuildings to Gunvor's Clearlake Shipping.
Celsius said it has "secured employment" for the 180,000-cbm Celsius Copenhagen, without giving details of the terms of hire.
It said the vessel is due for delivery from Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea in October, and its remaining three newbuildings will be delivered in 2021.
The company is listed on databases as due to take delivery of two newbuildings this year, suggesting its second vessel — the Celsius Canberra — has been nudged into 2021.
Those following Celsius said the Celsius Copenhagen has been fixed for a period of between 12 and 14 months for about $60,000 per day.
Celsius Shipping chief executive Jeppe Jensen declined to comment on the details other than to say that the charter had been done directly between the two companies with no brokers involved.
The Celsius Copenhagen and its sisterships have been fitted with X-DF propulsion units and air lubrication systems, along with other features designed to increase their efficiency.
Earlier this month, TradeWinds reported that Celsius had been shortlisted alongside two other companies to supply an LNG newbuilding to Portugal's Galp Energia.
'Milestone'
Jensen described the Celsius Copenhagen charter as "a milestone" and, he hoped, the beginning of a long-term relationship with Clearlake and Gunvor.
"The vessels were designed to minimise unit freight cost and emissions for charterers," Jensen said, adding that Clearlake has a strong focus on both.
He said the Celsius LNG carriers differentiate themselves substantially from others.
Elsa Pernot, director of health, safety, environment and community at Gunvor, said: “Celsius Tankers’ first LNG carrier is an excellent addition to Gunvor’s LNG portfolio, considering that it uses the latest marine technology for LNG vessels.
"The Celsius Copenhagen will have one of the lowest carbon footprints for the amount of LNG it can carry, [which is] important for Gunvor as we strive to delivering physical energy to our customers as cleanly and efficiently as possible."
