Greek shipowner TMS Cardiff Gas has revealed that the first of two LNG carriers currently under construction at Samsung Heavy Industries has been fixed out to Japanese gas company Osaka Gas.
The announcement followed the naming ceremony of the 174,000-cbm LNG ship Athos LNG.
The Greek company did not disclose the duration and rate of the charter but said Osaka Gas has taken the brand-new LNG carrier for a multi-year period.
TMS Cardiff said the Athos LNG is equipped with MAN ME-GA propulsion, a shaft generator and an air lubrication system.
The Athos LNG is one of two LNG carriers the company ordered from SHI in May 2022, with each ship reportedly costing $230.7m.
The Koje-based shipyard is scheduled to deliver the second vessel in 2025.
SHI is also constructing four very large ammonia carriers for TMS Cardiff.
The company ordered the quartet at about $118m each earlier this year. It is scheduled to take delivery in 2027.
Clarksons’ Shipping Intelligence Network shows TMS Cardiff also has three 174,000-cbm LNG ships on order at HD Hyundai Samho and two similar-size newbuildings at Hanwha Ocean.
The trio at HD Samho is scheduled to be delivered in 2027, while Hanwha Ocean’s duo is lined up for 2026 delivery.
TMS Cardiff was reported to have ordered the pair of Hanwha Ocean’s LNG ships against long-term charters from QatarEnergy. The LNG carriers were said to cost $223.8m each.
