Hanwha Ocean announced on March 4 that it signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to build 12 liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers with a Middle Eastern shipping company.
Hanwha Ocean did not disclose the client but it is believed to be Qatar Energy, the state-run energy company of Qatar.
Qatar Energy signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to order LNG carriers with three Korean shipbuilders and held contract discussions with them in 2020.
In 2023, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) won orders for 17 LNG carriers worth about 5.2511 trillion won (US$3.9435 billion). It was the largest order in the Korean shipbuilding industry’s history for a single contract.
Samsung Heavy Industries also announced in February that it had won an order for 15 LNG carriers from a Middle Eastern company. The contract amounted to 4.5716 trillion won. The company also did not disclose the client, but many experts also think that the client is Qatar Energy.
“We are currently reviewing the details of the main contract,” Hanwha Ocean said. “We will make a related public disclosure when the details are finalized.”