Several new shipowner names look set to be added to the line-up of companies that are expected to be signed up to LNG carrier berths previously reserved for Middle East producer QatarEnergy under its massive shipbuilding project.

Sources following the process closely told TradeWinds that a pairing of Japan’s Meiji Shipping and Iino Kaiun is being lined up to build four vessels for the Qatari project at South Korean yard Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.