Two pioneering VLGC newbuilding orders for Belgian shipowner Exmar are under threat at financially-troubled Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Philippines (HHIC-Phil) in Subic Bay.

Industry sources told TradeWinds that equipment manufacturers for the ships have been informed that the orders have been “put on hold” while an alternative shipbuilder is found.

Shipyards in South Korea and China are understood to be involved in talks on the newbuilding duo, which was ordered against time-charter contracts with Norwegian energy company Equinor.