Flex nets LNG carrier charter extension

Norwegian shipping firm Flex LNG, the owner of 13 liquefied natural gas carriers, has secured a time charter extension for its vessel, Flex Courageous.

The shipping firm controlled by billionaire John Fredriksen said on Friday that the charterer of the 2019-built 173,400-cbm LNG carrier had exercised its first extension option.

Flex said the charter is a “super major”.

UK-based energy giant BP is the charterer of this vessel, as well as of the 2020-built 173,400-cbm LNG carrier, Flex Resolute, which recently secured a charter extension.

Flex Courageous was fixed on a three-year time charter on November 1, 2021, together with Flex Resolute, starting in February 2022.

Under the deal, the charterer had options to extend the period by up to four additional years in two-year periods.

Following this first option declaration, Flex Courageous will be firm until first quarter of 2027, according to Flex.

The charterer will then have a final option to extend the charter by another two years until 2029, it said.

CEO Øystein Kalleklev said Flex has about 94 percent charter coverage for the remaining part of 2024, “so we remain well positioned with only one ship, Flex Constellation, coming open during the second quarter which is usually when the freight market starts to tighten again after the seasonal adjustment coming out of the winter.”

Flex said in January that the 2019-built 173,400-cbm, Flex Constellation, will be available for charter later this year after a trading house decided not to utilize its extension option.

Most Popular

Shell adds another LNG carrier to its fleet

A unit of UK-based LNG giant Shell has added another chartered liquefied natural gas carrier to its fleet.

CMA CGM’s LNG-powered giant floated out in China

China’s Hudong-Zhonghua has launched the third in a new series of 24,000-teu LNG dual-fuel containerships for French shipping giant CMA CGM.

Venture Global gets OK to introduce gas to final Plaquemines LNG block

US LNG exporter Venture Global LNG has received approval from the US FERC to introduce natural gas to the 18th and final liquefaction block at the Plaquemines LNG terminal in Louisiana as part of the plant’s commissioning process.

More News Like This

Flex eyes LNG carrier order

Norwegian owner Flex LNG is exploring with new and existing partners to join the company in ordering new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, according to interim CEO Marius Foss.

Flex inks LNG carrier refinancing deals

Norwegian owner Flex LNG has signed a sale and leaseback deal for its 173,400-cbm LNG carrier Flex Resolute. The company also signed a loan facility for the 173,400-cbm Flex Constellation.

Flex LNG to delist from Oslo Stock Exchange in September

Norwegian LNG carrier owner Flex LNG will be delisted from the Oslo Stock Exchange in September.

Flex completes refinancing of one LNG carrier

Norwegian owner Flex LNG has completed the $175 million Jolco lease financing for its 173,400-cbm LNG carrier, Flex Courageous.