Norwegian oil major Statoil has taken a number of smaller gas carriers in several charters worth at least $10.6m.
European shipbroking sources say the company has taken an ethylene carrier owned by Greece's Eletson Gas for up to five years.
The 12,000-cbm Kithnos (built 2016) has been fixed for two years — with an option for three more years. While sources believe the ship will fetch a rate of about $490,000 per month, an Eletson executive says the estimate is well short of actual earnings under the charter.
The ship operates in Eletson's E3 Pool with Evergas.
Statoil is also taking two smaller LPG carriers from US-listed StealthGas. The 5,000-cbm Gas Myth (built 2006) has been extended for another year at $280,000 per month. Also, the 3,500-cbm Gas Legacy (built 2011) has been fixed for six months — with an option for six more months — at $225,000 per month, European broking sources say.
Statoil did not immediately respond for comment on the deals. StealthGas declined to confirm the charters, citing the quiet period before the company's upcoming earnings report.
The charters come amid steady rates for LPG carriers of this size, with StealthGas' weekly market report estimating that a 12-month time charter for a 3,200-cbm semi-refrigerated vessel is at an unchanged $275,000 per month.
Rates for 12-month charters on small ethylene carriers are similarly unmoved, with an 8,259-cbm ship expected to fetch $470,000, StealthGas says.
The charters on small gas carrier tonnage come as Statoil is continuing to tender for a long-term contract of two VLGC newbuildings. The company has gone back to 10 bidders, but so far a firm contract appears to be some way from completion.
Meanwhile, in the market for large gas carriers, Norwegian brokers say Geneva-headquartered trader Geogas has fixed the 59,000-cbm Clipper Moon (built 2003) from Oslo-listed Solvang. The ship has been chartered for a year, likely at more than $500,000 per month.
