John Angelicoussis’ Maran Gas Maritime is being linked to an LNG carrier newbuilding contracted at Samsung Heavy Industries.
The South Korean yard said on Monday that it had won an order for a single LNG carrier priced at KRW 206bn ($186m) but not did name the contracting party.
The vessel is due for delivery in July 2023.
TradeWinds understands the firm ship was secured along with two optional berths, which has led to speculation that the order is connected to upcoming business with Total.
The French energy major has been running a selection process with owners for tonnage but is not due to nominate its chosen party until mid-December.
When asked about the newbuilding order, Maran Gas said it does not comment on commercial matters.
Maran Gas is one of four shipowners that have been working with the Total-led Mozambique LNG project on up to 17 LNG carrier newbuildings. These are to be split between the shipowners and are expected to be firmed up in the near future.
Search launched
In August, TradeWinds reported that Total had launched a search for up to six LNG carrier newbuildings.
It later emerged that it was seeking an owner that could offer a series of vessels, starting with one firm newbuilding. Total indicated at the time that it was open to offers on existing vessels no more than 10 years old, as well as newbuildings, with those following the business suggesting that it could take on some of the speculatively ordered, open tonnage.
Total offered five-year charter periods on newbuildings, with options to extend the hire by two years and three-year charters on any existing tonnage, also with two-year optional periods.
It has previously chartered in LNG newbuilding tonnage from NYK Line of Japan, Russia’s Sovcomflot (SCF Group) and Greek-owned TMS Cardiff Gas on seven-year deals.
Wind propulsion
Total has been focusing a great deal of its time on the design of its next generation of LNG carriers in an effort to improve vessel efficiencies and emissions.
The company, which became an LNG shipowner again in 2018 with the acquisition of Engie’s upstream assets, has spent time with shipyards on its own designs.
In a presentation in September, Total officials revealed they have been looking at wind propulsion as an addition to future designs.
Total, which has committed to reducing its emissions to zero by 2050, needs additional vessels to serve its expanding LNG portfolio.
Chief executive Patrick Pouyanne has committed the company to growing its LNG business as part of the energy transition from coal to gas.
