GDF SUEZ has signed a time charter-party with the Japanese shipowner NYK Line for the LNG carrier Grace Acacia, for a 4-year period starting from summer 2012.
The Grace Acacia is co-owned by NYK Line and Mitsui and has been delivered from Hyundai shipbuilding yards in 2007. She is equipped with Mark III GTT cargo containment and has a capacity of 149 700 cu.m. The Grace Acacia was selected following a call for tender launched on 19th April and will help fulfill GDF SUEZ mid-term LNG trading needs.
This chartering agreement reinforces the partnership between NYK Line and GDF SUEZ as it comes in addition to existing fields of cooperation: co-ownership of the LNG carrier Gaselys (60% NYK Line, 40% GDF SUEZ), co-ownership of the ship management company Gazocean (80% GDF SUEZ, 20% NYK Line) and chartering for a six year period of the Grace Cosmos, a sister-ship of the Grace Acacia.
GDF SUEZ is the third largest LNG importer in the world and has a diversified portfolio of LNG supplies from six different countries, representing 16.5 MTPA. GDF SUEZ is one of the leading LNG players in the world and the main LNG importer in Europe. It controls a fleet of 18 LNG carriers, representing a total capacity of 2.33 million cu.m LNG and has a significant presence in regasification terminals around the world.
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Source: GDF SUEZ, June 17, 2011;