BG Group of the UK is reportedly in talks with shipyards on up to five 170,000-cbm-plus vessels.
It is believed to be keen to develop a design for a more efficient breed of LNG carrier.
The company is said to be in early discussions with South Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering and Samsung Heavy Industries, along with Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries.
BG may firm up orders later this year, but industry players say it remains unclear whether BG would contract the vessels directly or take its design to shipowners willing to contract them for time charter back to the company.
Meanwhile, BG is also currently engaged in a project to construct two 170,000-cbm newbuildings at a Chinese yard - among Hudong-Zhonghua, DSIC and NACKS.