Shipbuilding contracts have been signed by Japanese owner NYK Line for four LNG carrier newbuildings ordered against contracts backed by charters with German utility EnBW.
Announcing a gas carrier haul of 12 vessels today, Hyundai shipyard group company HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering said it had won (KSOE) KRW 2.79trn ($2.3bn)-worth of orders from four customers in Europe, Oceania and Asia in deals signed between 26 and 28 April.
Included in the list was an order for four 174,000-cbm LNG carriers. Those familiar with the business said these are four ships contracted by NYK following EnBW’s tender.
TradeWinds reported on 25 April that NYK had been selected as the preferred bidder for these vessels. Brokers said prior to the tender four berths were reserved with the shipbuilder at an agreed price of $257m each.
EnBW is said to be chartering them in for periods between 12 and 20 years at rates in the $90,000-per-day range.
KSOE also said it had secured contracts for two 200,000-cbm LNG carriers.
Today, TradeWinds reported that Greek shipowner Dynagas had extended its position at Hyundai Heavy Industries on these super-size LNG carriers with two ships.
Dynagas has now contracted 14 LNG vessels of this size with HHI, two of which are already trading. The bulk of the vessels are known to have been chartered to Cheniere Energy.
KSOE talked up its in-house developed LNG reliquefaction system Hi-ERSN and its Hi-ALS air lubrication system.
In addition to the LNG business, KSOE reported that it had also inked deals to build two 88,000-cbm LPG dual-fuel LPG carriers. These vessels will also be able to transport ammonia, the yard said.
KSOE also said it had signed a contract worth KRW 367.4bn to build four 45,000-cbm LPG carriers.
On Monday, TradeWinds reported that UK-based Purus Marine had ordered four 45,000-cbm scrubber-fitted LPG carriers for delivery by March 2026.
