Interests associated with investment bank JP Morgan have been identified as the backers behind two LNG carrier newbuildings contracted at Samsung Heavy ­Industries.

Newbuilding sources described the party that ordered the duo ­announced by SHI last week as an “unconventional” shipowner that the yard is keen not to name.

Others have named the contracting party as JP Morgan, and said the order results from a much earlier and highly secret enquiry that was circulated to certain shipbuilders.