US LNG exporter Venture Global LNG has named its first of nine liquefied natural gas carriers.
Venture Global announced on Tuesday the launch of its 174,000-cbm vessel, Venture Gator, at a ceremony which took place at the Samsung Heavy Industries yard in Geoje, South Korea.
This is the first of nine LNG carriers in the Venture Global fleet to be completed in quick succession across three shipyards in South Korea over the coming 24 months, according to the firm.
Also, they will all transport LNG from the US to multiple global partners and destinations, it said.
Venture Gator and progressively the fleet’s other eight ships will start serving Venture Global’s partners in Europe and Asia beginning this fall, the company said.
LNG fleet
In March this year, Venture Global revealed it has nine LNG carriers on order in South Korea, further advancing the integration of its business across the entire LNG supply chain.
According to Venture Global, six of these vessels will have a cargo capacity of 174,000 cbm and three a cargo capacity of 200,000 cbm.
The vessels are propelled by the latest 2-stroke ME-GA/ME-GI engines which, in combination with the use of the most recent hull forms, shaft generator and air lubrication systems, it said.
Venture Global did not reveal more information regarding the LNG carriers.
VesselsValue data shows that Venture Gator is one of four LNG carriers Global Meridian Holdings, part of J.P. Morgan Asset Management, ordered at SHI in October 2021 for about $206 million per vessel.
Back in 2022, Venture Global was also said to be behind an order for three 200,000-cbm LNG carriers at DSME, now Hanwha Ocean. This deal is worth about $707 million.
Venture Global currently exports LNG via its 10 mtpa Calcasieu Pass liquefaction plant in Louisiana, which is still in the commissioning phase.
The company expects to start LNG production at its Plaquemines LNG export plant in Louisiana in mid-2024, while the US FERC is expected to decide on the CP2 LNG project this week.
