Japanese shipping companies Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) have ordered two LNG carriers each and signed long term charter contracts through their separate joint-venture companies formed with Chubu Electric Power.
The JV company between MOL and Chubu ordered two LNG carriers, a 177,000 cbm vessel to be built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI), and a 180,000 cbm Sayaringo STaGE (Steam Turbine and Gas Engines) carrier to be built by MI LNG Company, a JV established by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Imabari Shipbuilding. Both vessels on order are scheduled for completion and delivery in 2018.
Trans Pacific Shipping 6 Limited and Trans Pacific Shipping 7 Limited, the JV companies formed by NYK Line and Chubu, ordered one LNG carrier each.
Trans Pacific Shipping 6 ordered a 180,000 cbm Sayaringo STaGE from MI LNG, and Trans Pacific Shipping 7 concluded a shipbuilding contract with KHI for a 177,000 cbm LNG carrier. These two vessels are also expected to be delivered by 2018.
The four carriers will transport LNG from the Freeport LNG Project,Texas, U.S.A., to Japan. NYK Line signed 20-year charter contracts with Chubu for the two carriers, while MOL did not specify the duration of its charters.
World Maritime News Staff