Avenir LNG looks increasingly likely to charter out the first of its small-scale newbuildings, the chief executive of one of its major shareholders has confirmed.

The Oslo over the counter listed company has four 7,500-cbm ships and two 20,000-cbm vessels on order and an 80% share in an import terminal being built in Sardinia.

While Avenir is styling itself as a supplier of LNG and not a shipowner, the first of the newbuildings...