John Angelicoussis-led Maran Gas Maritime has inked an optional slot for an LNG carrier and has to make a decision on a second newbuilding at DSME shortly as the company snares charter employment with Japan's JERA.
Industry sources told TradeWinds that Maran Gas signed its latest newbuilding deal with its favoured South Korean shipbuilder late last week.
The move came shortly before an announcement from JERA that its LNG Marine Transport subsidiary had chartered in a 173,400-cbm LNG newbuilding under construction at DSME from Maran Gas from late 2019 for 12 years.
At the same time, the Japanese trading buyer revealed it had also chartered an 180,000-cbm LNG newbuilding under construction at Samsung Heavy Industries from shipowner GasLog beginning in 2020 until 2032.
Freeport LNG cargoes
JERA said both vessels will lift LNG produced from the Freeport LNG project in Texas, in which the trader participates.
The company said it plans to increase its LNG fleet to 25 vessels by 2025 as its free-on-board volumes increase.
The newbuilding for Maran Gas boosts its fleet to 42 vessel, including 13 ships on order and one floating storage and regasification unit.
Those following Maran Gas closely expect it to extend its fleet further with an additional optional vessel, which is due to be decided upon by the end of this month.
Maran Gas is enlarging its fleet just days after signing an agreement with Qatar’s largest shipowner, Nakilat, for four of its LNG carriers.
Nakilat and Angelicoussis' Maran Ventures have teamed up as Global Shipping Co.
Under the deal, Nakilat is taking a 60% stake in four Maran Gas newbuildings, two to be delivered in 2020 and the others in 2021.
The hook-up effectively removes four LNG carriers from Maran Gas’ portfolio with Nakilat taking up the responsibility for chartering out the ships.
Maran Gas has traditionally built up its LNG carrier fleet by chartering out its newbuildings on mid to long-term contracts, just keeping one or two vessels open for spot market business or offering in to tenders.
