Rates to ship liquefied natural gas fell to the lowest in almost two years as the opportunity to profit from shifting cargoes to Asia closed, curbing trading distances, according to Fearnley Securities AS.

On May 17, 2013, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will sign an agreement with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. to build a "Sayaendo" series new-generation liquefied natural gas carrier. Sayaendo series ships feature a unique structure that integrates the LNG tank cover with the ship hull, resulting in significantly improved fuel consumption and maintainability.

Active on the bulker side. Dansish Norden today announced a total of 13 vessels. Two kamsarmaxes and four supramaxes will be built at different yards in Japan and at the same time another two kamsarmaxes and five supramaxes will be chartered in long term with purchase options.

Only few ships reported this week. HMD introducing a new series of 87,000 dwt bulkers. The ships was reported at USD 33.5 mill, and will be delivered end of 2016. Prices are still sliding sideways, with yards chasing buyers for new ECO friendly ship designs. Embiricos has placed an order at Hyundai Samho for 2 containerships (USD 81 mln, delivery 2014).

SEACOR announced today that it has executed an agreement with Hyundai Heavy Industries, through a subsidiary of SEACOR Ocean Transport Inc., for the construction of two Liquefied Petroleum Gas tankers with expected deliveries in 2014 with an option to purchase up to three additional VLGCs with delivery in 2015.

Höegh LNG has signed an agreement with GDF SUEZ (the Charterer) which will form the basis for facilitating their use of the GDF SUEZ Cape Ann (the Vessel) as the first floating storage and regasification unit in China.

Belgian gas carrying company Exmar said on Thursday that the formation of a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) joint venture with Teekey LNG Partners had bumped up earnings in the first quarter.

StealthGas announced today the pricing of its previously announced public offering of common stock. The Company increased the size of the offering from 8,000,000 shares to 10,000,000 shares. The shares will be sold at a price to the public of $10.00 per share.

Bulkers are much in focus and several buyers turning to Japan as Japanese yards are becoming competitive and offering latest eco design. Some Japanese yards can offer early deliveries in first half of 2015, whilst others only have openings well into 2016 and even 2017.