Japan’s liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) importers – Astomos Energy and ENEOS Globe – have signed an agreement to cooperate in the area of international procurement, import and shipping of LPG, with a focus on pooling their fleets of Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGC).
Astomos currently operates a fleet of six owned and fifteen chartered VLGCs. ENEOS Globe operates five VLGCs.
With eight more VLGCs ordered by Astomos, currently under construction at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, this potential joint venture could eventually operate a fleet of 34 VLGCs, or a 20% of the global fleet.
Approximately 70% of LPG consumed in Japan is imported from overseas, while the remaining approximately 30% is generated domestically.
Approximately 85% of the imports come from the Middle East, primarily from Saudi Arabia and UAE (United Arab Emirates).
World Maritime News Staff