Placing orders for LNG carrier is expected to start off from this Autumn.
Analyst Park Mu-Hyun, E*Trade Securities in Korea said, "Golar LNG holds out on fixing contracts for stronger ones," added, "The Norwegian shipping company was offered $185,000 per day for short-term chartering in early this month, while Swedish Stena Bulk suggested $170,000 in the beginning of 2012."
He said, "At present, one-year LNG carrier charter rate is holding at the $155,000 per day level, exceeding long-term rate. That means LNG carrier is needed instantly, while tonnages are still insufficient."
Park said, "Although shipowners seem to feel pressures over deliveries in 2015, they proceeds price negotiations with shipping companies. In order to be delivered newbuilding LNG carriers by the first half of 2015, owners would be better to award orders within this year, when considering construction period and Korean Big3 shipyards' dock schedules."
According to him, "Samsung Heavy Industries is actively in talks over orders for LNG carriers, delivery slated by H1 2015, most of them are not from option. Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering also is negotiating over newbuilding LNG carriers."
"Orderings for LNG carriers, which are scheduled to hit the water in H1 2015, are to start from around this Autumn."