The new double-hulled ships will have a capacity of 83,000 cubic meters and are expected to be used east of Suez. MHI will build all four units at its Nagasaki Shipyards and Machinery Works, with delivery of the first ship scheduled for mid-2006.

Since 1970 MHI has built 19 tankers for BP starting with the 215,603-deadweight ton tanker "British Explorer", however this is the first LPG tanker for the energy giant. To date MHI has built more than 51 LPG carriers globally.

In view of today's steady demand for LPG carriers worldwide, MHI said it aims to further strengthen its marketing activities in the LPG segment to complement the growing demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.