German trader E.ON has floated a fresh requirement for an LNG carrier newbuilding to take on mid-term time charter.

Industry sources say the company’s trading arm, E.ON Global Commodities, is looking for a vessel to fix against a five-year hire contract.

They say the move reflects the growing trend among market players to opt for shorter time-charters on ships.

Last year, Spain’s Repsol was seen chopping the charter-hire period on up to two vessels the company was tendering for a firm five years with options to extend, down from original 15-year-plus deals.

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