France’s GTT has secured a tank design order from China’s Dalian Shipbuilding Industry (DSIC) for three 175,000-cbm LNG carriers.
DSIC will build the three LNG carriers for China Energy Shipping, the Hong Kong-based JV in which Sinopec’s unit Kantons Investment holds a 49 percent stake and Shanghai Cosco Shipping LNG holds a 51 percent share.
As previously reported by LNG Prime, the shipbuilding deals worth about $700 million, or some $233.3 million per vessel, were signed on August 31.
GTT said that the vessel’s tanks will feature the Mark III Flex membrane containment system.
DSIC will deliver the vessels between the first half of 2027 and the first quarter of 2028.
Following delivery, the vessels will serve Sinopec under long-term charters deals to ship US LNG volumes Sinopec contracted from Venture Global LNG in November 2021, Sinopec previously said.
Under the 20-year sales and purchase agreements, Venture Global will supply of a total of 4 million tonnes per annum of LNG from its Plaquemines LNG export facility in Louisiana to Sinopec.
Prior to this contract, GTT secured an order from DSIC for two 175,000-cbm LNG carriers.
DSIC will build these two LNG carriers for Sea Jade Investment, a joint venture consisting of China Gas, Wah Kwong Maritime Transport, and CSSC Shipping.