Gunvor to receive four new LNG tankers in 2026-2027

MOSCOW. July 11 (Interfax) - International commodities trader Gunvor will take delivery of four new liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers in 2026-2027 that will be built by China Merchants Heavy Industry (CMHI) in Jiangsu, the trader, which earlier agreed on the delivery of four Korean-built gas tankers in 2023-2024, said in a press release.

The tankers will be owned by Celsius Tankers, which has signed long-term charter contracts with Clearlake Shipping, a Gunvor subsidiary.

Celsius has formed a joint venture with an affiliate of ArcLight Capital Partners to fund two of the LNG carriers, Gunvor said.

"Gunvor will have a significant equity interest in the other two newbuildings, the first for any independent LNG trading company, demonstrating the strength of Gunvor's global position in the LNG market," the trader said.

"The vessels will be built to ABS class with Enviro+ notation for improved criteria for environmental protection," Gunvor said. Their design minimizes CO2 emissions and methane slip from operations via installation of air lubrication, enhanced reliquefication capacity, optimization of hull shape and use of the best available paint system to reduce friction in the water, the company said.

Gunvor said the new vessels will help the company meet its commitment to convert 100% of its fleet to eco-vessels by 2027 and cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 40% by 2025. These emissions include direct greenhouse gas emissions due to a company's operations and emissions related to use of heat or electricity.

This transaction will increase Celsius Tankers' LNG fleet to 18 vessels with capacity of 180,000 cubic meters. Celsius signed long-term time charters with Clearlake Shipping in October 2021 for four new LNG tankers built by Samsung Heavy Industries that will be delivered in 2023-2024, Gunvor said.

Celsius Group has a fleet of over 45 vessels, including LNG, product and chemical tankers and container ships, including new-builds on order.