A grouping of South Korean shipowners, a Norwegian owner and a finance house-headed owning group are expected to be signed up to reserved berths at three shipyards in South Korea and long-term charter contracts with Middle East producing giant QatarEnergy.

Sources following the process name “K3” — the consortium of South Korean owners comprising H-Line Shipping, Pan Ocean and SK Shipping; Knutsen OAS Shipping; and JP Morgan — as the owners that will be assigned to the LNG newbuilding berths.