Norway’s Kanfer in talks to secure work for two LNG bunkering vessels

Norway-based small-scale player Kanfer Shipping is still in talks to find work for two LNG bunkering vessels it ordered earlier this year in China.

Kanfer said in May it had contracted Chinese shipyard Taizhou Wuzhou Shipbuilding to build two 6,000-cbm bunkering and distribution vessels and deliver them by the second half of 2023.

The firm also holds an option for two additional vessels.

“Kanfer is currently in concrete discussions for chartering these ships to solid counterparts and we are also making some additional measures to make us more attractive to the charters,” it said in a statement on Monday.

The market for LNG bunkering is “growing fast”, Kanfer says.

Classification society DNV recently reported a new monthly record in orders for LNG-powered ships and this number will continue to grow as owners look to comply with more stringent IMO rules and slash emissions.

However, soaring LNG prices “are making some players concerned which hamper the development of LNG, but more importantly the environment,” Kanfer said.

“Historically current LNG prices in comparison to other fossil fuels are abnormally high. Hence some LNG bunkering and distribution projects are unfortunately being delayed,” the firm said.

“We are however not concerned about finding a home for these ships and we also believe that the LNG prices will eventually fall,” Kanfer added.

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