German fuel supplier Nauticor has become the sole charterer of the world's biggest LNG bunker vessel.
It has bought Klaipedos Nafta's 10% stake in the contract for the 7,500-cbm Kairos (built 2018).
The vessel began operations in the fourth quarter.
It had previously been chartered by the companies' joint venture Blue LNG.
Nauticor has executed an option to acquire the 10% holding. This will be effective from September.
Nauticor chief executive Mahinde Abeynaike said: “By having 100% control over Kairos, we can deploy the vessel at the LNG bunkering 'hotspots' without having the obligation to deviate to Klaipeda on a regular basis."
Klaipedos Nafta chief executive Mindaugas Jusius added: “Several years ago when the agreement on partnership to charter the vessel Kairos was concluded, there was a lack of LNG transportation services in the market.
"Therefore, we decided to become charterers of one of such vessels. At that time, it was the only possibility for KN to assure the full LNG supply chain for its customers. There have been new possibilities for LNG transportation emerging in the region recently.”
The ice-class 1A vessel is owned by Babcock Schulte Energy.
