Australia's Global Energy Ventures (GEV) may strike a leaseback financing deal for its projected fleet of eight or more compressed natural gas (CNG) vessels.

Four firm and four optional ships are being lined up at CIMC Raffles in China at an expected price of between $135m and $145m each, bringing the potential total to $1.2bn.

The CNG project developer said its preference is to enter into gas supply agreements with take-or-pay obligations over a 15 to 20-year term.