A dramatic last-minute shipowner switch is in play for four LNG carrier shuttle ship newbuildings to serve Russia’s upcoming new liquefaction project Yamal LNG.

TradeWinds understands that Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) has made what has been described as “a last-minute” bid to build the four conventional LNG carriers in China against time charters with the Yamal project.

Fellow Japanese owner NYK, which had been selected as the preferred bidder on the vessels, is believed to be no longer a contender for the business.