Flex LNG receives fourth 2020 newbuild carrier

Norwegian shipowner Flex LNG has taken delivery of its fourth newbuild LNG carrier so far this year — the 174,000m³ Flex Amber.

The carrier was delivered from South Korean shipyard Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries today, Flex LNG said, having already received the 174,000m³ Flex Aurora from the shipbuilder in July.

The Flex Amber had been scheduled for delivery in the middle of the third quarter of this year but was delayed by the shipowner until October, while the Flex Aurora was similarly delayed from the end of the second quarter.

Flex LNG had already declined an offer of early delivery on the two vessels earlier this year, citing low spot charter rates. But the Flex Amber has been fixed on a term charter with an unnamed charterer starting this quarter, suggesting that the vessel may sail straight into this charter.

The shipowner has three more carriers on its order book, scheduled for delivery in November, February and May. Flex has yet to announce any fixtures for these vessels, suggesting that they could be offered straight onto the spot charter market, where the firm already has three vessels operating, with the remaining seven tied to term charters.

The Flex Amber is the first carrier to be delivered globally in October, with a further six scheduled to leave their respective shipyards by the start of November.

By Samuel Good