Amid new order boom for LNG-FPSO, newbuilding demand for shuttle LNG carrier, offshore-specialized supply vessel, etc., is also expected to increase.
Samsung Heavy Industries inked an order for LNG-FPSO, for the first time in the world, from Royal Dutch Shell and recently, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering contracted for FLNG facility from Petronas of Malaysia.
Starting with these contracts, there would be continued orders for related offshore facilities.
At present, Petronas is proceeding with its second FLNG order, while a number of projects are off the ground as well, including Australian FLNG by PTTEP of Thailand, Gulf coast project by Excelerate Energy of the US, etc. Also, Inpex and Shell are working on Abadi FLNG of Indonesia.
Meanwhile, along with massive ordering for LNG-FPSO, demand for specialized LNG carrier is expected to grow. For instance, Inpex is now preparing a tender for newbuilding shuttle LNG carrier for Abadi project.
Particularly, specialized LNG carriers are needed for LNG offloading in side-by-side or tandem.
Moreover, offshore specialized supply vessels, which support offshore works of LNG-FPSO, shuttle LNG carrier, etc., are in demand as well, which would unburden shipyards' new order drought.
Some market players are raising question that financing for FLNG project would not be easy, however, many believe that FLNG will be widespread in the end, by applying know-hows accumulated from Oil-FPSO construction into LNG-FPSO.