Global Auto Carriers (GAC), a new firm backed by Norway’s Gram Car Carriers, is to order four LNG dual-fuel PCTCs at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard in Weihai.
The order also includes options for an additional 2+2 vessels at the Chinese yard, according to a statement by Gram Car Carriers (GCC).
GCC only said that the 7,000 CEU vessels would have dual-fuel propulsion, but shipping sources confirmed to LNG Prime that the vessels would be LNG-powered.
F. Laeisz, AL Maritime, AS Clipper and a subsidiary of Surfside, all current shareholders of GCC, own the newly formed firm GAC.
In addition, GCC’s unit Gram Car Carriers Management has acted as commercial adviser during the formation of GAC.
GCC Management would receive warrants enabling an ownership stake in GAC of up to 7.5 percent as well as a 1 percent commission of the gross contract price for the vessels.
It would also serve as the commercial manager for the GAC fleet and would receive a lump sum commercial management fee and a 1 percent commission on the time charter earnings from the charters of each respective vessel.
GCC did not disclose any financial details.
The company expects that GAC would enter into the shipbuilding contracts for the four vessels in early second quarter of 2022.
Delivery of the PCTCs would take place from the fourth quarter of 2025 through the fourth quarter of 2026. Three of the option vessels have expected delivery in 2027 and one in 2028.