One of eight multigas vessels owned by Evergas and chartered long-term to chemicals giant Ineos has become the first to switch over to carrying LNG.
Data intelligence analyst Kpler said the Danish shipowner's 27,500-cbm JS Ineos Independence (built 2017), which to date has been transporting ethane and olefins since its delivery, has started a new charter with New Fortress Energy.
Kpler said the ship started the charter last month and usually fully loads at Port Esquivel in Jamaica delivering its cargoes in several partial discharges in Montego Bay over the course of three to four weeks.
TradeWinds understands that the JS Ineos Independence was supplied with LNG by the 138,000-cbm Singapore Energy (built 2003) in a ship-to-ship transfer operation off Jamaica in early October.
New Fortress has put two LNG import projects into operation in Jamaica where is has been using Golar LNG ships to provide storage and regasification and an Anthony Veder vessel as a shuttle ship.
The eight Dragon-class, multigas fleet were specifically built to carry ethane, LPG and LNG.
They were ordered in China, priced at around $64m each for delivery dates in 2015 to 2017, and chartered to Ineos for 15 years. The vessels are also kitted out to run on LNG as a fuel.
Those working on the design at the time explained the intention behind this was to enable them to shift over to LNG if market demand moved to other products.
At the time they were ordered, the additional specification was seen as an over-design feature by some in the industry, particularly as it raised the newbuilding price.
But the lack of small-scale LNG tonnage may make them attractive relet prospects for Ineos.
