China shipbuilders shoulder in on LNG newbuilds

South Korean STX subsidiary, STX Dalian Shipbuilding, has joined Chinese shipyards bidding for upcoming foreign LNG-newbuilding orders. Industry insiders say representatives from both energy giant ExxonMobil and BG Group have visited the STX Offshore and Shipbuilding facility in northern China to talk about newbuildings.
ExxonMobil, which has selected Japan's Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) as its shipowning partner, and BG are committed to ordering at least six LNG carriers in China to support their projects in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Australia, which have sold LNG to Chinese buyers.
BG is expected to team up with Chinese partners to order at least two LNG carriers to ship product from its coalbed methane (CBM)-backed LNG-export project, Queensland Curtis LNG (QCLNG), near Gladstone in Australia.
Dalian New Shipyard was also said to be keen to participate in LNG orders.