K-Line charters two newbuild LNG carriers to Petronas

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K-Line) has signed a long-term time charter contract for two newbuilding LNG carriers with Malaysian energy company Petronas.

K-Line said on Monday that it signed shipbuilding contracts for two 79,960 cbm LNG carriers with Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC).

The vessels are scheduled for delivery in the second quarter of 2022, the LNG carriers will have a length of 239 meters and a width of 36.6 meters.

The newbuilds will work for Petronas LNG under a 12-year time charter which includes a 12-year extension option.

As for the engines used on the vessels, they will be equipped with an X-DF dual-fuel engine that uses gas admitted at low pressure.

K-Line added that the ship tandem would transport LNG from Malaysia to Shenergy Co., Ltd., China, starting from 2022.

The company also stated that these were the first long-term time charter deals agreed between Petronas and K-Line for newbuild units.