Gaz de France exercises option for second Alstom LNG carrier

Gaz de France and Alstom signed a letter of intent on July 3,2003 for the construction of a 153,000 m3 LNG carrier, with an option for a second identical LNG carrier.

The order for the first LNG carrier was signed on September 29, 2003, for delivery at the end of October 2005.

Gaz de France has just confirmed the option for the second LNG carrier, in partnership with Japanese shipowner NYK Line.

The construction contract should be signed before the end of June 2004 with delivery of the carrier scheduled for the end of October 2006.

This LNG carrier will be identical to the ship ordered by Gaz de France in September 2003 and which is currently under construction at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard. Like its sister-ship, it will have the largest capacity in the world for this type of vessel and will integrate innovative techologies such as an electric Diesel-Gas propulsion system and membrane insulation based on CS1 type technology (foam insulation).

Earlier this week, Alstom announced it had received an order from MSC Shipping for two 3,000 passenger Panamax cruise ships