South Korean shipowner SK Shipping is being linked to an order for an LNG carrier newbuilding announced on Tuesday by Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering Co (KSOE).

The South Korean holding company for Hyundai Heavy Industries, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and unlisted Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries said it had won a contract to build a 174,000-cbm LNG carrier from an "Asian shipper".

The vessel is scheduled for delivery in the second half of 2024.

Charterer

Sources following LNG carrier orders named SK Shipping as the contracting party.

They linked the newbuilding to a charter deal with Japanese trader Mitsui & Co. But full details have yet to emerge.

SK Shipping currently operates a fleet of 10 LNG carriers. The most recent is the 180,000-cbm Prism Courage (built 2021) but the shipowner's fleet also includes five much older vessels built between 1994 and 2000.

The company also has two four-year-old LNG carriers that have been languishing at Samsung Heavy Industries undergoing repairs since their deliveries.

The ships — the 174,100-cbm SK Serenity and sistership SK Spica (both built 2018) — were constructed with South Korea's pioneering cargo ­containment system KC-1, which was designed by the country's gas buyer, Kogas.

The SK Serenity had been due to return to service in 2021. Data provider Kpler shows the vessel was in a laden condition in South Korean waters during December.

A legal row has been ongoing between owner SK Shipping, their builder SHI, charterer Kogas and design company KC LNG Tech over the repairs.