GAIL (India) issued a tender inviting for time charter hiring of LNG vessels to transport LNG from the U.S. to India.
To meet its transportation requirements, GAIL intends, directly or through an affiliate, to enter into the time charter documents with one or more shipowners specialised in the operation of LNG vessels and meeting the bidder‘s eligibility criteria, shipyard eligibility criteria and other techno-commercial requirements of the bid to be selected through this bidding process.
“GAIL requires LNG vessels to transport up to 5.8 MTPA of LNG from United States of America to India. GAIL is also undertaking an exercise of swapping/trading of LNG. Based on the outcome of such exercise, the final requirement of vessels shall emerge and award shall be made accordingly,” stands in the tender document.
The present bid is calling for 9 LNG vessels in lots of three vessels each, of a cargo capacity of not less than 150,000 m3 and not more than 180,000 m3, enabling GAIL to comply with its off-take commitments at Sabine Pass and Cove Point from the 3rd quarter of 2017. The company, in an earlier statements, said that one vessel from each lot will be built in Indian shipyards.
Bids are invited based on the current scenario; however GAIL is undertaking an exercise of trading/swapping of LNG. Based on the outcome of such exercise, the final requirement of the vessels shall emerge and award shall be made accordingly, it said.
Due date for bid submission is 30th October, 2014.
LNG World News Staff, August 15, 2014; Image: GAIL