Equator Fund has signed a deal for a mid-sized LNG carrier with China Merchants Heavy Industry, part of China Merchants Group.
The duo signed the agreement for the 45,000 cbm LNG vessel on March 18, according to a statement by China Merchants.
In addition, the vessel features the LNT A-Box LNG tank system, based on LNT Marine’s patented design.
China Merchants and Shenzen-based investment and asset management firm Equator Fund are also working on a 79,000 cbm LNG carrier project, the statement said.
LNG Prime previously reported that the deal includes a 45,000 cbm newbuild. However, several sources said that the contract entails transferring ownership of Saga LNG’s first mid-sized carrier Saga Dawn.
China Merchants Heavy Industry’s Jiangsu yard built the ABS-classed vessel equipped with Wartsila dual-fuel main and auxiliary engines. The vessel currently serves a charter contract with China’s Jovo.