Japanese shipbuilders seem more suitable to win an order of newbuilding LNG carriers for Malaysia International Shipping Co (MISC).
The Malaysian state-owned shipowner has specified to use reheat steam-turbine propulsion systems for its upcoming LNG carriers, which has in effect narrowed down the list up to two Japan-based shipyards, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, counting out Korean builders, sources said.
Market players said that only Kawasaki and Mitsubishi are capable of building such vessels.
MHI has developed an ultra steam-turbine propulsion system which uses reheated steam and is currently constructing 155,300-cbm and 164,700-cbm LNG carriers for Mitsui OSK Lines.
Moreover, since Malaysia is likely to target some of its new LNG volumes at Japanese buyers, MISC may prefer Japanese builders.