SK Shipping doubles up on LNG carrier newbuilding orders

South Korea shipowner named as owner behind end-of-year order at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries

Shipowner SK Shipping is being linked to a newbuilding order for an LNG carrier at Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries that was concluded in the last few days of 2019.

The order is understood to be an optional berth SK Shipping was holding at the yard.

Detailing an order for three VLCCs this week, Hyundai Samho also announced this week that it plans to deliver an LNG carrier to an Asian client by June 2022, without naming the company concerned.

The new order for SK doubles up on a contract for a first 180,000-cbm LNG newbuilding signed in July.

This vessel is due for delivery in 2021.

SK has yet to confirm the orders or give details of any firm business for the two newbuildings.

The shipowner has been battling containment system problems encountered on two LNG newbuildings it took delivery of in 2018.

Both vessels, the 174,000-cbm SK Serenity and SK Spica (built 2018), were the first vessels to be fitted with the KC-1 containment system designed by domestic LNG importer Kogas.

The ships, which are backed by long-term charters to domestic importer Kogas, were returned to shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries in 2018. Talks and legal action on the vessels and how to repair them has been ongoing between the owner, charterer and yard in the interim.

Repair work started on SK Serenity at the end of November. This could take up to a year to complete. Discussions continue on the second ship.