Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) of China is said to have signed a newbuilding contract for up to four ethylene/LNG carriers with IM Skaugen (IMS) of Norway.
Sources said the contract includes options for two newbuildings more and the firm 17,000-cbm gas carriers are slated for delivery in 2015, with estimated prices in the high $40m bracket.
According to market players, IMS has recently completed the sale of the 50% stake it was holding in Shenghui Gas & Chemical Systems of China to China State Shipbuilding Corp in order to raise funds for the newbuildings.
Meanwhile, the Norwegian shipowner previously awarded orders for four 10,000-cbm units at Taizhou Wuzhou Shipbuilding Industry and two 12,000-cbm vessels at DingHeng Jiangsu shipbuilding.