Greece-based shipping firm Alpha Gas has taken delivery of the first of three 174,000-cbm LNG carriers from South Korea’s Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries.
According to a statement by Alpha Gas, HSHI handed over the LNG carrier Energy Fidelity on April 21.
HSHI is expected to deliver the other two LNG carriers in this batch in the second quarter of 2024.
The three vessels feature X-DF propulsion, a reliquefaction plant, air lubrication system, two shaft generators, and air resistance shield.
Also, this is the first LNG carrier propelled with XDF engines to join the company’s fleet.
“Energy Fidelity was delivered from the yard straight into her first employment (medium-term charter) with a world-class Far East-based charterer,” Alpha Gas said.
Alpha Gas did not provide any additional information.
Russia’s Sovcomflot originally ordered these three LNG carriers at HSHI in 2021 backed by charter contracts with France’s TotalEnergies.
However, HSHI’s parent KSOE said in June 2022 that these contracts were terminated and HSHI signed new contracts for the three LNG carriers with a new shipping firm based in Oceania and for a higher price.
Sources told LNG Prime at the time that Alpha Gas took over the contracts for the three vessels.
Prior to this new delivery, Alpha Gas welcomed the 174,300-cbm Energy Intelligence into is fleet in June 2021.
This LNG carrier and its sister carrier Energy Integrity are on charter to a unit of SEFE, previously known as Gazprom Germania and now controlled by the German government.
In addition to these vessels, Alpha Gas took delivery of Energy Endeavour in 2021, Energy Pacific in 2020, and Energy Atlantic in 2015.