Mitsui OSK Lines has given Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding its largest LNG carrier windfall with a CNY 7.5bn ($1.18bn) order for a series of six vessels.

The deal does not include any optional units.

Shipbuilding sources close to the deal said MOL has ordered the 174,000-cbm gas carriers on the back of a long-term charter to China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC).