The move marks a change of tack in the four months since orders for up to 17 ships of 14,000 teu to 18,000 teu were inked, units that UASC president Jorn Hinge said would be “LNG ready” at delivery.

Now the plan is to construct the vessels so they can be retrofitted with LNG fuel gas supply systems (FGSS) as required after delivery between 2014 and 2016.

UASC