Malaysian International Shipping Corp. is fortifying its position in the fast growing market for the carriage of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), today reportedly converting an option for two liquefied natural gas ships into firm orders, bringing total oustanding orders to six. MISC is already one of the world's largest LNG tanker operators, and it also also plans to buy four 6,800-TEU, post-Panamax containerships for delivery in 2002-2003. "We have ordered four new LNG ships...and two more ships are on option...(which) should be exercised by the end of this year," a company official reported. MISC has a fleet of 13 carriers with total lifting capacity of 1.35 million cu. m. They are part of MISC's total fleet of 124 ships.