Hyundai Heavy Industries of Korea and Imabari Shipbuilding of Japan are expected to win a newbuilding project, each for two large LNG carriers, which is subject to a long-term charter project of Spain.

Stream LNG of Spain is planning to ink a newbuilding and lease contract for LNG carrier with Elcano and Knutsen OAS Shipping of Norway. With this, Knutsen is said to be placing an order for 174,000-176,000 cbm LNG carrier pair at Hyundai while Elcano to order two units of LNG carrier in the same range at Imabari, reported by TradeWinds.

These newbuildings are known as membrane-type for delivery in 2017.

Among the new LNG carriers, several units are seen to be put into operation for transporting LNG from Sabine Pass project of the US.

Meanwhile, it is seen to be struggling for the final contract to be inked since Spanish shipbuilding industry is claiming that the newbuilds should be constructed domestically.