MISC plans five more LNG carriers in China for 20-year Petronas charters

Malaysian shipowner MISC is preparing to order five additional LNG carriers in China following a new long-term charter award from Petronas LNG, Splash 247 reported. The Bursa Malaysia-listed group has accepted a letter of award covering firm employment of 20 years for each of the five newbuildings, extending its gas shipping relationship with the Malaysian energy group.

MISC said it intended to sign construction contracts with Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation. The latest announcement therefore concerns an accepted charter award and planned shipbuilding contracts, rather than confirmation that the construction agreements have already been signed. Splash 247 did not provide vessel capacities or an employment start date for this latest batch.

The proposed orders are additional to a separate programme for five LNG carriers agreed earlier this year. That earlier series also involves Hudong-Zhonghua and long-term employment with Petronas. Together, the two programmes cover ten LNG carriers, although the construction and employment details reported for the earlier ships should be distinguished from those of the newly announced vessels.

Under the earlier programme, MISC first ordered three LNG carriers with capacities of 174,000 cu m, before adding two more in February. Petronas later confirmed 20-year charter arrangements covering all five ships. Their employment is due to start between 2029 and 2030, according to Splash 247; those dates relate to the earlier series, not the latest award.

MISC has been building up its gas carrier orderbook through long-term employment arrangements with Petronas, the outlet reported. The fresh five-vessel award continues that pattern, with the Malaysian owner again selecting Hudong-Zhonghua as its intended construction partner.

Separately, MISC confirmed an order in August for a smaller, 18,700 cu m LNG carrier at the same Chinese yard. That vessel is linked to a ten-year charter for the Bintulu–Sendai trade, distinct from the two five-ship programmes.