China shipbuilders gear up for LNG carrier orders

Representatives from both ExxonMobil and BG Group have visited the STX Offshore and Shipbuilding facility in northern China to talk about newbuildings. ExxonMobil, which has selected Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) as its shipowning partner, and BG are committed to ordering, respectively, at least four and two LNG carriers in China to support their projects in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Australia, which have sold LNG to Chinese buyers.

Dalian New Shipyard is also said to be keen to participate in LNG orders.