Golar LNG Signs Newbuilding Contract with DSME

The Board of Golar LNG Ltd. has confirmed that it has now signed a newbuilding contract with the Korean shipbuilder DSME for one 145,000 m3 LNG newbuilding for delivery in end of 2005 / alternatively beginning of 2006. Included in the contract is an option for up to two more newbuildings with delivery in 2006/2007 to be declared at a later stage. Chairman John Fredriksen says in a comment: "The strong market recovery in the drybulk, container and tanker sectors has put pressure on yard capacity. In this situation it has been important for Golar to secure the future growth of our company. The combination of the attractive contract price, fixed earlier this year, and the additional option package makes this deal into a very favourable contract for Golar. It is Golar's intention to work with employment opportunities where the strategic value of Golar's four uncommitted newbuildings can be maximized as a package. Such deals can include time critical infrastructure projects like the Italian Livorno project or other LNG chain projects managed by major LNG receivers/producers. Until such projects can be realized the Board is prepared to trade the vessels in the spot / short-term market. The spot market presently represents in excess of 10% of all trades in the LNG market and is expected to grow significantly." The equity financing of the newbuilding was secured through the USD 57 million equity raising completed in the third quarter when the newbuilding order was negotiated.