South Korean gas giant Kogas is battling to draw up the terms of its planned tender for up to seven LNG carrier newbuildings.
Sources in Korea say that one of the key problems for the state-run outfit is to establish which shipowners will be eligible to build the vessels it wants to take on long-term charter.
Previously, the company has selected domestic owners for this business but, with the bulk of these companies — Hyundai Merchant Marine, Korea Line, STX Pan Ocean and Hanjin Shipping — that have previously built vessels for the company now either bankrupt or in serious financial difficulties, it must look to alternatives.
They
