Japan’s NYK Line has booked an LNG carrier newbuilding at Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea against long-term business.
Industry sources said the vessel has been contracted against a multi-year charter with energy major Total.
This marks NYK's fourth LNG newbuilding charter to the French company.
11th order
Last week, SHI said it had secured its 11th LNG carrier contract of the year.
In its regulatory filing, the shipbuilder said the order was from an Asian client, without naming the customer.
The yard priced the newbuilding at KRW 225.5bn ($185m) and said it is due to be delivered by October 2021.
TradeWinds has requested comment from NYK Line on the order.
Earlier this month, TradeWinds named NYK among several shipowners that had fixed vessels to Total on multi-year business.
The Japanese company has forged a strong connection with French LNG shipping business and has been beefing up its relationship with Total.
Other business
Last year, NYK fixed three 174,000-cbm LNG carrier newbuildings contracted at SHI to Total.
The trio, which are fitted with XDF propulsion systems and reliquefaction systems, are due for delivery in 2021.
NYK said at the time that it would "continue to deepen collaboration with Total in both LNG transportation and shipmanagement".
Total launched a hunt for LNG tonnage this year. Aside from the ship from NYK, brokers reported that the major had taken in vessels from Thenamaris, TMS Cardiff Gas and Stena Bulk.
The shipowner also offers shipmanagement services through Gazocean, a French joint venture between NYK and Total.
NYK has also fixed newbuildings to French energy provider EDF Energy and Italy's Edison.
The Japanese owner's close association with French business is not new.
The company originally partnered Engie, then GDF Suez, on LNG carriers. These shareholdings were later transferred to Total under the sale of Engie’s upstream LNG assets.
