BW LPG has concluded time-charter deals with Unique Shipping extending its charters for two VLGCs.
European gas brokers said the Oslo-listed shipowner chartered Unique's 82,000-cbm Berge Nantong (built 2006) for 12 more months and the Berge Ningbo (built 2006) for another 18 more months.
BW is now believed to be paying less than $1m per month for each ship. Company CEO Martin Ackermann said he cannot comment on specific business.
Brokers believe the duo have been on charter to BW since Unique, a Hong Kong-based shipowner, received them as newbuildings. They initially were fixed for 12 years. Some said the shipowner still has a purchase option on the ships.
BW LPG, by far the biggest owner and operator of large LPG carriers, has 35 wholly owned VLGCs, two partially owned and eight chartered-in units.
The deal latest charter deal comes as BW LPG has been the in the process of renewing its VLGCs.
The company also has a deal with Japan's Nissen Kaiun to charter two VLGCs that are expected to be delivered from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI). The deal includes purchase options.
Elsewhere in the VLGC segment, trader Glencore is understood to have chartered the 80,000-cbm Hampshire (built 2007) from Zodiac Maritime.
The rate is believed to be some $920,000 per month. The ship is one of two VLGCs in the Zodiac fleet.
