IM Skaugen (IMS) has kicked off its search for a quartet of ethylene/LNG carrier newbuildings.
Sources say the Norwegian owner has been in talks with Chinese yards about a possible order for four 12,000-cbm newbuildings.
It is said to be looking at delivery dates from 2014 onwards. The vessels are expected to cost in excess of $40m each.
IMS said last year that it planned to move ahead with another four multigas newbuildings capable of carrying both LNG and petrochemical gases with a view to building this fleet up to 10 ships.
Chinese shipbuilders understood to be interested in the project include Jiangnan Shipyard, Sinopacific Shipbuilding, Avic Dingheng Shipbuilding and Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Corp (DSIC).
In contrast to the other contenders, Avic Dingheng is the only yard that has experience in this type of multi-gas vessel. It built two 12,000-cbm tankers — the now renamed Bahrain Vision and Norgas Unikum (both built in 2011) — both originally contracted by IMS. It also has one 6,500-cbm ethylene/LNG carrier, the Coral Anthelia, for Dutch owner Anthony Veder. The vessel was upgraded with LNG-carrying capabilities and is due for delivery next year.