GasLog Sets Charter Deal with Centrica, Orders New LNG Vessel
Monaco-based LNG shipper GasLog signed a seven-year charter deal with the UK-based energy company Centrica for a newbuild LNG carrier it has ordered at the South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries.
A 180,000 cubic meter LNG carrier (HN 2262) with low pressure two stroke (“LP-2S”) propulsion has been ordered from Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea, with expected delivery in the third quarter of 2020.
The rate of hire for the Charter is broadly in line with mid-cycle rates.
Further, GasLog and Centrica have separately agreed optionality in relation to the actual vessel to be delivered into the Charter. This optionality allows, instead of HN 2262, either HN 2212 or HN 2274 to be delivered into the Charter, both currently uncommitted GasLog newbuild LNG carriers due for delivery in Q3 2019 and Q2 2020, respectively.
GasLog Partners LP ("GasLog Partners", NYSE:GLOP) has the right to acquire the vessel delivered into the Charter pursuant to the omnibus agreement between GasLog and GasLog Partners. As a result, GasLog Partners’ potential dropdown pipeline will increase to nine LNG carriers with charter length of five years or longer.
Paul Wogan, Chief Executive Officer of GasLog, stated, “I am delighted that Centrica has chosen GasLog to provide them with a second LNG carrier on long-term charter. We appreciate Centrica’s confidence in GasLog’s ability to deliver high operating and safety standards and we look forward to continuing to build our strategic partnership with them.
Robust LNG demand and supply fundamentals underpin a positive outlook for LNG shipping. These fundamentals are allowing us to grow our fleet at attractive returns, to extend the drop-down pipeline for GasLog Partners and to make progress toward the growth target set out at our recent Investor Day.”
