Moss Spherical Tank Carrier News

The gas and power division of Royal Dutch/Shell ordered two additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers to support its growing global LNG business. Shell International Gas Limited ordered a membrane-type carrier from South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering and a moss spherical tank carrier from Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Shell did not disclose the price for the orders, but industry sources said the market level for a typical LNG carrier was around $175 million. The two new vessels have been secured against the background of a growing portfolio of Shell LNG projects around the world which require shipping capacity and will help supply growing demand for LNG.

While seemingly miniscule in terms of deadweight tons ordered and delivered per year as compared to the shipbuilding business as a whole, the production of gas tankers, LNG and LPG, are high-value, high prestige orders that are likely to rise significantly in the coming years. Consistently high oil prices have effectively forced the production and processing of gas, and the current trend is towards increased usage of this valuable commodity. Late last month, the gas and power division of Royal Dutch/Shell ordered two additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers to support its growing global LNG business. Shell International Gas Limited…