Qatar Petroleum is keeping its choices open on the final specifications and timing of its colossal $18.8bn order plan to build more than 100 LNG carriers at South Korean shipyards.

TradeWinds understands the berth reservation deal, which was sealed during a virtual signing ceremony this week by the state-controlled Qatari producer, breaks down as 45 LNG carrier newbuildings at each of South Korea’s big three shipbuilders.