Greek shipowner Almi Group is planning a two-pronged entry into the LNG carrier and drillship sectors.
After establishing an Almi Gas offshoot to handle its rising interest in LNG carriers, the group has expanded talks with favored builder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering with mention of up to six orders.
The owner reportedly wants to ink an initial pair of firm 160,000-cbm tri-fuel vessels with DSME as early as next week.
Almi chairman and founder Costas Fostiropoulos said, “LNG shipping is evolving and we wish to be a player. In addition to the first two vessels we are talking with a major charterer which has requirement for more.”
The group has already asked the South Korean builder for options on four more slots in 2015.
Mr Fostiropoulos said a European charterer has been lined up for multi-year employment for the first pair of vessels.
At the same time, the group is keen to enter the offshore market and has established a new company, Almi Drill, as an umbrella for its activities in the sector.
Mr Fostiropoulos said that the company has begun talks with a builder for up to two drillships.