South Korea’s STX Offshore & Shipbuilding is set to win an order for up to 15 containerships worth $600m from a Middle Eastern energy company.
Sources say Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (Adnoc) has inked a letter of intent to construct 15 ships of 2,600 teu for delivery in 2013 and 2014, set to be built at the yard’s Jinhae facility in South Korea.
Adnoc has been looking to order containerships since early this year and the company was said to have invited yards in South Korea, Japan and Europe to tender.
Adnoc, which made its debut in the liner sector with two newbuildings in 2009, is rapidly expanding its fleet as it needs vessels to transport its own cargoes.
Sources say Adnoc’s fleet expansion will continue as it is also looking to own at least two gas carriers to transport ethylene, according to one market player. Its sights are set on a pair of 9,000-cbm to 15,000-cbm vessels.