China Shipping Group (CSG) and Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) are about to order eight LNG carrier newbuildings in China.
Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding is considered most likely to win the massive newbuilding project, while other Chinese shipyards which seek to make inroads into the sector, like Dalian Shipbuilding Industry, may secure some of the eight-ship orders.
CSG and MOL are said to be chartering out the newbuildings to Sinopec on a long-term deal.
The vessels will be used to ship cargoes from the upcoming Australia Pacific LNG project.
Meanwhile, in September 2012, CSG and Sinopec already ordered four 174,000-cbm LNG carriers at Hudong.