On October 13, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group delivered to its owners Pan Asia, the first of four 174,000 cbm Tri-Fuel Diesel Electric (TFDE) liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.
The ship quartet is owned by a joint venture involving China National Offshore Oil Corporation, China LNG Group, BW Group and Teekay. With all them expected to be delivered until 2019, the ships will operate under a 20-year time charter contract with Methane Services Limited, a subsidiary of Shell.
Pan Asia, which flies the flag of Hong Kong, features a length of 290 meters and a width of 47 meters. Currently, the 88,600 dwt vessel has a market value of USD 178.77 million, according to data provided by VesselsValue.
Launched in April 2016, the newbuilding completed sea trials off the coast of Shanghai in the East China Sea earlier this year.
The remaining three vessels, Pan America, Pan Europe and Pan Africa, are currently under construction at the yard. Two of them are expected to be completed in 2018 and one a year later.
World Maritime News Staff