Shipyards in South Korea and Japan have been invited to a newbuilding tender to build up to three LNG carriers to lift cargoes from the Ichthys LNG project in Australia.
Industry players say Total has launched the first part of its newbuilding tender by approaching Japanese and South Korean shipbuilders.
It has requested offers on two vessels of 180,000 cbm and one for 155,000 cbm class for delivery in late 2016 or early 2017.
Shipbuilders have until the end of March to respond.
Observers say Japanese yards are likely to offer in on the business since the lead project developer on Ichthys is compatriot Inpex Corp.
Total is expected to soon issue a second tender specifically aimed at shipowners.
Inpex and partner Total took a final investment decision (FID) to proceed with the $34bn Ichthys LNG last month. LNG from the two-train, 8.4-million-tonne-per-annum (mtpa) liquefaction project has been largely sold to Japanese utilities and Taiwanese state giant CPC.