Major shipbuilders' stake prices are to be benefited from possibility to win additional LNG orders before the end of this year.
Analyst Huh Sung-Duk of Hi Investment & Securities said "Although overall amount of new orders for LNG carrier in 2012 would get smaller from those contracted last year, major Korean shipyards are likely to win more newbuilding LNG carriers within this year."
He said "Shipowners' limited orderings for commercial ships has been continued from this summer up till now, however, there sure is possibility for additional LNG-carrier orders by the end of this year."
First of all, BG Group has signed for long-term charter contracts for newbuilding LNG carriers, speculative ordered by Greek owners last year, which gives hopes for Korean Big3's additional orders, Huh explained.
He added "Nigeria state-owned shipowner Nigeria LNG is expected to order six new LNG carriers no later than the end of this year" and said "NLNG seems to place an order to replace older vessels, which would be not an speculative order. The contract is likely to be firmed up within 2012."