LNG (LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS)

NWSV takes delivery of first Chinese-built LNG carrier

THE North West Shelf Venture partners have received the first of three Chinese-built LNG carriers, which will transport liquefied natural gas from northwest Australia to the Dapeng LNG receiving terminal in Guangdong Province, China.

Marija Stojkovic

NWSV takes delivery of first Chinese-built LNG carrier

The carrier, named Dapeng Sun, was delivered yesterday at the Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard in Shanghai, by ship company Yue Peng LNG Shipping.

North West Shelf Shipping general manager Noel Hart said the delivery was a major achievement for the Chinese ship building industry.

"North West Shelf participant companies congratulate China on this milestone and wish them well in the construction of the remaining vessels," he said.

The NWSV has equity in only two of the three vessels. The second carrier, Dapeng Moon is to be delivered in the third quarter of this year.

In 2002, the NWSV signed a 25-year sales and purchase agreement with the Guangdong buyer consortium for the supply of 3.3 million tonnes of LNG a year to the Dapeng LNG receiving terminal on a free-on-board basis.

The agreement became effective in December 2004.

Each NWSV company holds a 5% share in Yue Peng LNG Shipping.