<article><p class="lead">The 173,400m³ <i>Flex Freedom</i> LNG carrier is the latest newbuild to face a delay in delivery, joining at least six other delayed vessels on the global orderbook. </p><p>The <i>Flex Freedom</i> is now expected to be delivered from South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) in early January — having initially been planned for late this month. Norwegian owner Flex LNG is marketing the vessel, which has already completed its sea and gas trials.</p><p>This the third Flex LNG carrier to be delayed this year, after the owner <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2133730">deferred delivery</a> on the 174,000m³ <i>Flex Aurora</i> and <i>Flex Amber</i>. The two vessels were delivered in September and October, having initially been slated for late in the second quarter and the middle of the third quarter, respectively. Both were delivered by South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI).</p><p>Russian shipowner Sovcomflot has <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2158090">pushed the delivery</a> of its 174,000m³ <i>SCF Timmerman</i> from HSHI back to 15 January from 23 December. And Greek owner Capital Gas has <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2159811">delayed the delivery</a> of three ordered carriers from South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) by 2-3 months, having already received its 174,000m³ <i>Aristos I</i> a month later than planned. </p><p>And Greek owner TMS Cardiff has yet to receive the 174,000m³ <i>Dorado LNG</i> from South Korea's Samsung Heavy Industries. The vessel was expected in <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2145399">October</a> but only started its gas trials in mid-November. TMS Cardiff also received the 174,000m³ <i>Vivit Americas</i> <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2150949">in October</a>, around a month later than the expected delivery in September. </p><p>The delaying of the <i>Flex Freedom</i> means there are only three remaining carrier orders to be fulfilled by the end of 2020, while deliveries in the first quarter of 2021 are expected to rise to around 17 carriers from 11 this quarter and four a year earlier.</p><p>Flex LNG has two more carriers on its orderbook — the 174,000m³ <i>Flex Volunteer</i> and <i>Flex Vigilant</i> — scheduled for delivery from HSHI in February and May 2021, respectively. </p><p class="bylines">By Samuel Good</p></article>
