Expanding UK-based shipowner Purus Marine could take its spending on new LPG carriers to above $410m.
The company confirmed it has ordered four 45,000-cbm midsize vessels at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) in South Korea for delivery in 2025 and 2026.
The ships will be able to use ammonia as a fuel and fitted with shaft generators and scrubbers.
Purus also said it has secured options for two additional vessels, without revealing delivery dates.
The LPG units are expected to primarily carry ammonia.
TradeWinds reported the deal for four firm ships earlier this week.
Industry sources put the cost of the first four in the new series at KRW 367.4bn ($276m), meaning all six could cost $414m.
One gas player said Purus is paying an additional $1m to $3m per ship to have scrubbers installed.
“The cost of a scrubber varies as it depends if it is open loop, closed loop or hybrid scrubber… the latter being most expensive,” the gas player said.
Purus is new to the LPG segment and currently has two vessels on the water and one under construction.
Building a gas fleet
The company bought two ships from Greek shipowner Evalend, including the 39,200-cbm Mangusta (built 2022) for $59.5m.
And Purus paid $61.5m for a second vessel, the 39,200-cbm newbuilding Mustang, which is due to be delivered in June.
The company is also said to be the owner of the HMD-built, 40,000-cbm gas carrier Green Power (ex-MGC Marylebone, built 2023), according to online databases.
The vessel was delivered in January and was previously owned by Union Maritime.
The company aims to run low-carbon ships in the offshore wind, LNG, ammonia and other sectors.
Big-name backing comes from US alternative financier EnTrust Global and an unnamed sovereign wealth fund.
Last month, Japanese trading house Itochu revealed it has also invested in Purus with a view to co-owning ships to help decarbonise the industry.
