Tellurian Starts First Tanker Charter
US LNG projects developer Tellurian has taken delivery of its first LNG tanker.
It announced on October 2 that it had entered into a six-month time charter contract with Greek ship owner Maran Gas Maritime for the vessel, named Maran Gas Mystras.
Tellurian took delivery of the tanker at Galle, Sri Lanka on October 1 this year. It can hold up to 160,000m3 of LNG and was built in 2015.
Tellurian CEO Meg Gentle said, "At Tellurian, we are building a global natural gas business and proactively shaping the company to build long term value amid a robust and dynamic market. As winter approaches, we will begin buying and delivering LNG on the Maran Gas Mystras, one of the most efficient vessels in the Maran Gas fleet." Developing LNG marketing capabilities would "prepare Tellurian to become one of the most flexible, competitive, and reliable LNG suppliers when [Tellurian US export project] Driftwood LNG begins operations in 2022," she added.
Maran Gas Mystras delivered the first US LNG cargo to the UK in July 2017; the cargo was produced by Cheniere and may also have been shipped by that company.
Meanwhile, Belgian LNG ship owner Exmar announced on October 6 the sale of its 50% stake in the LNG carrier Excel.
Exmar said that this ship, built in 2003, is able to carry up to 138,107 m³ of LNG, and was delivered on October 6 to its new owners, whom it did not name. Exmar said that net cash proceeds realised by its 50% share in the joint venture owning Excel will be around $23mn.
Mark Smedley