Maran Gas Maritime Inc., the Gas Shipping unit of the Angelicoussis Shipping Group Limited (“ASGL”), set up in 2003 to manage the LNG and LPG carriers of ASGL, recently fixed the charter contract for two ships (ordered at DSME and others) with the BG group, and Maran Gas is also negotiating three other deals that may last as long as 10 years with Shell, according to reports. ASGL has seven LNG newbuildings under order at Daewoo (5) and Hyundai (2).
Furthermore, Russian-owner Sovocomflot has signed a contract with Gazprom LNG for the long-term time charter of two LNG carriers (ordered at STX O&S) for a minimum of 15 years’ employment. In addition, owners are actively negotiating with the energy majors for 40 LNG newbuildings ordered this year without firm employment commitments.