New partners Wah Kwong Maritime Transport, China Gas Holdings and CSSC (Hong Kong) Shipping have ordered two LNG carrier newbuildings at Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co (DSIC).

Brokers and industry watchers said the trio, which unveiled their tie-up in the last few days, have signed up with the northern Chinese yard to buy two 175,000-cbm, two-stroke LNG carriers.

The vessels are fixed on 20-year periods to serve China Gas Holdings unit China Gas Hongda Energy Trading Co, at rates in the range of $80,000 to $100,000 per day.