A first step towards becoming a major force in the LNG trade could be taken by the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) this year.

NITC is already involved in a major expansion of its tanker fleet.

The first orders for LNG carriers need to be placed before the end of 2006 NITC director, Shseyedan Seyedhabibollah, told the Reuters news agency.



Iran has major gas reserves and big ambitions to be a leading exporter that Seyedhabibollah indicated would require a fleet of at least 30 LNG carriers.



But