Swiss energy company MET Group has ordered its first LNG carrier after forging a joint venture deal with Danish shipowner Celsius.

MET said the partnership involves a newbuilding that will be constructed at China Merchants Heavy Industry Jiangsu (CMHI Jiangsu) for delivery in 2027 to support its growing LNG activities.

Golar LNG commercial manager departs for Fearnleys role
 Read more

Chief executive Benjamin Lakatos said: “At MET we believe LNG will play an important role in the European energy transition.”

Celsius already has contracts for six newbuildings at CMHI Jiangsu, with deliveries stretching into 2027.

MET spokesman Tobias Kistner confirmed to TradeWinds that its joint venture deal with Celsius involves a fresh newbuilding.

“The purchase of the vessel supports MET Group’s strategy to enhance its ability to supply its customers with LNG from various sources, including the recently signed agreement with Shell to purchase US LNG over a period of 10 years starting in 2027,” MET said.

In addition to the Shell supply deal, MET has long-term regasification capacity booked in Germany, Croatia and Spain. It has also imported cargoes to Greece, Italy, the UK, Finland and Belgium.

In 2023, it moved more than 30 cargoes into Europe.

Celsius chief executive Jeppe Jensen couched the partnership deal as part of its expansion in the LNG industry through modern, fuel-efficient ships.

QatarEnergy’s long-delayed US LNG export project seeks three-year extension
 Read more

“Efficient LNG carriers are key to enhance energy transition given the importance of LNG as the most important imminent fuel for green transition,” he said.

Celsius has 10 LNG carriers on the water after announcing the delivery of the 180,000-cbm Celsius Granada from Samsung Heavy Industries.

“This milestone reflects the dedication and hard work of our ship and shore teams,” the company’s Celsius Tech unit said of the delivery on LinkedIn.

The delivery leaves 10 LNG carriers on its orderbook in China and South Korea.

Read more