Skaugen orders Chinese LPG/ethylene carriers

Norwegian-based IM Skaugen (IMS) has ordered the first four of a series of 10 specialized combination carriers capable of handling both LPG/Ethylene and organic chemicals. These newbuildings are planned to be built at an unnamed Chinese yard near Shanghai at a cost of about $25m per vessel. IMS has also agreed to invest in the yard infrastructure to enable it to complete the IMS program.

Each of these ships will have a cargo-tank capacity of about 10,000 cbm for gases in two tanks. Maximum draught is 7.30m and corresponds to a deadweight of about 8,200 tonnes. The new tankers will be delivered in 2007 and 2008 and will be classed by Germanischer Lloyds (GL) and meet the requirements of both Singapore and Hong Kong flag authorities. Six new, purpose designed Aframax tankers are on order for delivery on long term bareboat charter during 2007. Two LPG vessels of 3,200 cu m are also on order for delivery to IMS China Activities in 2006.