Greek shipowner Thenamaris is reportedly in talks with South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries about an order for two LNG carriers.
The owner is widely rumoured to have signed a letter of intent (LOI) with the yard for two vessels but full details have yet to emerge.
Market pundits point to Stena Bulk’s eye-catching rate of $110,000 per day on its first LNG-carrier newbuilding, the 173,000-cbm Stena Crystal Sky, which has caught the attention of players thinking of taking the plunge.
Owners report that yards have upped their prices in response to the interest, especially with the big-three South Korean shipbuilders.
Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering recently signed LNG carriers for just over $200m per ship.
One suggests that some of the strong levels being quoted are for large vessels or ships with added features such as on-board regasification or ice-class and winterisation features. He says the addition of a growing range of optional features is helping blur market prices.