The LNG newbuildings of 180,000 cbm each will be constructed at Korean yard Samsung Heavy Industries for $459m. One of the carriers will transport shale gas from the US to Korea while a second is expected to carry shale gas from Australia to Korea.
The joint venture firm, 49% owned by Korea's SK Shipping and 51% owned by Japan's Marubeni, will transport US-produced shale gas from October 2017 from Sabine Pass LNG terminal in Louisiana and supply to Korea Gas Corporation.
The two LNG carriers are expected to be leased to French oil firm Total for up to 30 years.
South Korea has obtained an approval from the US government to import shale gas under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US.
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