Italian energy company Edison has selected Knutsen OAS Shipping as its preferred provider of a small-scale LNG carrier following a tender process.

Industry sources say the outfit is planning to give final confirmation on the business for the 27,500-cbm ship before the end of this year.

Knutsen would appear to have fought off Dutch shipowner Anthony Veder and an Italian owner thought to be Pietro Barbaro, which were also shortlisted for the business.