Ship Executives Push for Hormuz to Return to Normal
Shipping executives meeting in Athens on Monday said that any peace deal worked out between the United States and Iran would need to offer clear rules allowing vessels to resume normal business via the Strait of Hormuz.Shipowners and maritime industry officials met at a Capital Link conference and other events to begin Posidonia, a week-long biennial shipping exhibition.Below are selected quotes (in alphabetical order):ARSENIO DOMINGUEZ, SECRETARY GENERAL, INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION (IMO)"There have been ... recent announcements that there's a possibility of a 60-day ceasefire.
LNG Shipping’s Long-Term Outlook Remains Positive
The UP World LNG Shipping Index gained 4.05% last week, closing at 182.36 points and exceeding the 180-point mark for the first time in its history. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% over the same period.Trading activity was robust, with volume well above average and a 15:4 ratio of rising to falling stocks. Several companies broke through resistance levels on strong volume, led by COSCO Shipping Energy Transportation (+10.6%) and Chevron (+6.1%). Shell, BP, Tsakos Energy Navigation, and Nakilat all moved above their respective resistance levels.Atlantic spot charter rates continued declining to $11…
Shipping Companies Call For Overhaul of UN Ship Fuel Emissions Deal
A group of top shipping companies including leading Greek players said on Thursday they want changes to a United Nations deal tabled for adoption in October that seeks to cut marine fuel emissions, adding complications to the draft accord after U.S. opposition.Global shipping accounts for nearly 3% of the world's carbon emissions, and the proposed deal is crucial to speed up decarbonisation through a bigger regulatory framework.The group - including some of the world's biggest…
LNG Shipping Stocks Gain for a Second Week
The UP World LNG Shipping Index (UPI) rose 0.67% to 168.40 points, while markets remained quiet despite geopolitical shifts made by the new U.S. administration, reports UPI analyst Tomas Novotny. “This can potentially increase LNG market competition, leading to lower prices but higher sales.”The UPI saw moderate growth, with Awilco LNG (+9.1%), BP (+8.5%), and Cool Company (+6.8%) among the top gainers, while Tsakos Energy (-5.2%) and Capital Clean Energy (-4.9%) declined. Many stocks are nearing key resistance levels, hinting at possible breakouts.
Energos Acquires Two FSRUs from Dynagas
Offshore LNG infrastructure company Energos Infrastructure has completed the acquisition of two floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) from the affiliates of Greek Dynagas.The two 174,000 m3 closed-loop FSRUs, built in 2021, will be renamed Energos Force and Energos Power, said Energos Infrastructure, a joint venture majority-controlled by Apollo and minority shareholder New Fortress Energy.Earlier in 2023, the FSRUs commenced long-term charter contracts with the German…
Shipowners Struggling with Lack of Clarity on Sanctions -Prokopiou
Shipowners are struggling to know what trades are still legal as a raft of sanctions against Russia and tough measures on other countries including Iran remain confusing, leading Greek shipowner George Procopiou said on Monday.Sanctions imposed on Moscow after it invaded Ukraine in February, including a U.S. ban on its oil imports, have prompted Russia to pivot to customers in India and China who are picking up cargoes at a steep discount, according to industry data and traders.Existing restrictions on Iran have also driven their oil trade towards Asia, with increasing due diligence required by shipowners to avoid falling foul of U.S.
Europe's Dash for Gas & FSRUs Puts Australia's LNG Import Plans at Risk
Europe's race to replace Russian gas supply has threatened Australia's plans for five gas import terminals as they compete for key infrastructure, raising the risk of a supply shortfall in Australia's populous southeast in the next two years.France, Germany, and the Netherlands among others will need to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) to replace pipelined gas from Russia, which has been hit by sanctions during the Ukraine conflict.European users are grabbing floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) needed to convert LNG to gas…
Gasunie to Charter New Fortress Energy FSRU to Reduce Dutch Reliance on Russian Gas
New Fortress Energy has executed a binding agreement to charter a floating storage and regasification unit (“FSRU”) to Dutch energy network operator Gasunie, in an effort by the Netherlands to reduce Russian gas imports. The chartered FSRU will provide storage capacity of approximately 170,000 m3 of liquefied natural gas with peak regasification capacity of 900 mmscfd. New Fortress Energy's FSRU will work in tandem with a third party’s FSRU to provide up to 8 bcm per year of total regas capacity.
Germany to Charter Four FSRUs in Push to Cut Reliance on Russian Gas
The German government on Thursday signed agreements for the charters of four floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs), as it works to become less reliant on Russian gas, as FSRUs will enable it to import LNG from other sources.The agreements were signed for the charters of two FSRUs owned by Oslo-listed firm Hoegh LNG, and two owned by Dynagas. Hoegh LNG FSRUs will be operated by RWE, while Uniper has facilitated the charter of two FSRUs managed by Dynagas Ltd.Höegh LNG said that the detailed FSRU contracts with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action…
Hudong-Zhonghua Delivers LNG FSRU to Dynagas
China's Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group last week delivered its first 174,000 cubic-meter floating liquefied natural gas storage and regasification unit (LNG-FSRU).The 294 meters long LNG FSRU named Transgas Power was delivered to the Greek company Dynagas on Thursday, July 15.According to World Energy Reports, Dynagas ordered two LNG FSRU vessels – Transgas Power and Transgas Force back in 2016.Delivery of the first ship was initially scheduled for 2019, and the second ship in 2020, but was then delayed.Transgas Power has now been delivered.
Small Scale FSRU: Think Smarter Not Bigger
The global search for lower carbon forms of energy and demand for cost-effective ways to serve power demand in emerging markets and remote locations is driving interest in floating storage and regasification units (FSRU).FSRUs are a faster and more flexible way to import natural gas to power-constrained places, so demand for the units is increasing and the business case for owning them is growing stronger.Their model for supplying energy and transport fuel is historically well proven: they offer faster development timelines and lower initial capital costs compared to onshore regasification…
Dynagas LNG Secures $675Mln Loan
Dynagas LNG Partners LP, an international owner and operator of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, announced it has secured a $675 million syndicated loan from leading international banks.The credit facility will be secured by mortgages on the partnership’s entire fleet of six LNG carriers, the Monaco-headquartered company said.This move is expected to help the company eliminate its existing dept of totaling $720 million.Tony Lauritzen, Chief Executive Officer, Dynagas LNG Partners said: "We are pleased to enter into this transformative re-financing. The Credit Facility provides the Partnership with reduced cost of debt relative to…
LNGC Containment Market to Reach $16Bln By 2025
The global liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier containment market was USD 11.21 billion in 2018 and is expected to reach around USD15.56 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 4.9% between 2019 and 2025.The LNG carrier containment market is majorly driven by the rising demand for natural gas from various industries and LNG’s growing number of residential and commercial applications, said a report by Zion Market Research.Furthermore, LNG has witnessed an exponential increase in its demand as an automobile fuel in recent past, which has bolstered supportive government regulations for cleaner fuel that aims to reduce dependence on petroleum…
Last Yamal LNG Arctic Ships on Sea Trials
The last of 15 Arc7-classed tankers ordered for the liquefied natural gas (LNG) production plant Yamal LNG in Russia's Arctic north are undergoing sea trials around a South Korean shipyard, Refinitiv Eikon shipping data showed on Monday.The Georgiy Ushakov and Yakov Gakkel LNG tankers are both in water at the Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) Okpo shipyard in South Korea and indicating they are performing sea trials, the data showed. The Vladimir Voronin, meanwhile, finished its sea trials and has left the Sea of Japan, setting Yamal LNG as its destination.
GTT Wins Tank Design Order from HHI
French liquefied natural gas containment system specialist, Gaztransport Et Technigaz SA (GTT) has been contracted by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to design tanks for two LNG carrier newbuilds.The engineering company said in a press release that the vessels were being built on behalf of the Greek ship-owner Dynagas.Each vessel offering a capacity of 180,000 m3, these units will be equipped with tanks fitted with the Mark III Flex+ containment system, it said. The vessels’ delivery is expected for the first semester of 2022, the release added.Philippe Berterottière, Chairman and CEO of GTT, said: “This new order, first Mark III Flex+ ordered by HHI, highlights the trusting relationship GTT maintains with the shipyard. We are also pleased to once again accompany the ship-owner Dynagas.”
GasLog Withdraws from Golar 'Cool Pool'
The owner and operator of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers GasLog and spin-off GasLog Partners are withdrawing their LNG carriers from their pooling joint venture with Golar LNG.The Cool Pool was launched in September 2015 with 14 tri-fuel diesel engine (TFDE) LNG carriers contributed by three owners: three ships from Dynagas Ltd, three from GasLog Ltd and eight from Golar LNG Ltd.Golar LNG Limited announced in a press release that due to the potential spin-off of its TFDE fleet into a new pure-play LNG shipping entity, GasLog has decided to withdraw its six vessels from the Cool Pool. Golar, or, subject to interim market conditions, the spin-off entity, will assume ownership of the Cool Pool following GasLog's departure in June.
Dynagas Vessel Employment Almost Full
Monaco-headquarters Dynagas LNG Partners said that it had estimated contracted time charter coverage for 98% of its fleet estimated available days for 2019, 100% of its fleet estimated Available Days for 2020 and 92% of its fleet estimated Available Days for 2021.As of March 21, 2019, the Partnership’s contracted revenue backlog estimate was $1.38 billion, with an average remaining contract term of 9.5 years, the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) maritime transportation company said. Tony Lauritzen, Chief Executive Officer of Dynagas said: "All of our LNG carriers are or to be employed on long-term contracts with an average contract duration of approximately ten years…
DynaGas LNG Partners in the Red in Q3
Monaco-based owner and operator of liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, reported a third-quarter ended September 30, 2018 loss of $654,000, after reporting a profit in the same period a year earlier.The gas shipping company said that the Q3 results included $2.3 million of scheduled class survey and dry-docking costs related to the Yenisei River, one of the three tri-fuel diesel engine (TFDE) vessels in our fleet.The company said it had a loss of 7 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, were 4 cents per share. It has posted revenue of $31.3 million in the period, which beat Street forecasts.Tony Lauritzen, Chief Executive Officer of the Partnership, said: “Our reported earnings for the third quarter of 2018 were in line with our expectations.
Ice-breaking Tanker Heads for Russia to Load Yamal LNG
A new ice-breaking tanker capable of navigating the Arctic on its own is set to load its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipment from Russia's fast-expanding Yamal facility.The Georgiy Brusilov left South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering shipyard at the weekend and is due at Yamal's Sabetta port on Nov. 28, Refinitiv Eikon data shows.It is the eighth ARC7-class LNG carrier, which are longer than the Titanic, to join the Yamal fleet operated by Teekay, Mitsui OSK Lines and Dynagas, with another seven expected.The vessels have enabled Yamal's operator Novatek to ramp up production since its first LNG cargo at the end of last year…
Three New Arctic-class Ships on Way to Yamal LNG Terminal
Three new liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers capable of plowing through the Arctic ice have completed sea trials in recent weeks and are due to start operations at the Yamal LNG terminal in northern Russia, Reuters shipping data shows.Novatek's Yamal terminal has been ramping up LNG shipments faster than expected after loading its first cargo in December 2017, with two trains now running at capacity and a third being commissioned.As part of the project, the first along northern Russian shores that are trapped by thick ice for most of the year, 15 carriers in the Arc7 class were ordered from South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine…
Finland: A Hot-Bed of ICEBREAKER Technology
Finland is a traditional marine tech hub, with almost 90 company members in the Finnish Maritime Industries association. While the country has a storied maritime history across many sectors, based on geographic locale, it’s Arctic and ice marine technology is second to none, and it’s hoping the U.S. Coast Guard is taking notice.The Finnish maritime industry is hoping to get involved in developing the new icebreakers for the U.S. Coast Guard polar icebreaker program. Ulla Lainio…
Dynagas LNG Partners Gets Extension of Yamal LNG TC
Dynagas LNG Partners has entered into an agreement with Yamal Trade for the early commencement of the long term charter contract for employment of the ice class liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Yenisei River in the Yamal LNG Project. The owner and operator of LNG carriers said that pursuant to this agreement, the Yenisei River will commence operating 180 days earlier and as a result, the firm charter period has been extended from 15 years to 15 years plus 180 days. The Yenisei River was delivered early to Yamal LNG on August 14, 2018, immediately upon completion of its mandatory statutory class five-year special survey and dry-docking in Singapore.Tony Lauritzen…
Yamal LNG Exports Accelerate in Time for Winter
Liquefied natural gas exports from Novatek's Yamal terminal in the Arctic have come on stream faster than expected over the summer and exceeded volumes from Russia's only other LNG facility, Sakhalin, for the first time in August.The pace of commissioning the multi-billion dollar project has surprised a market used to chronic delays. Additional volumes from the start of another facility should now come in time for the northern hemisphere winter, a time of price spikes.Novatek said earlier this week it had begun commissioning the third train…