KOREA Gas Corp (Kogas) may require about 10 LNG carriers to transport an expected additional 6M tonnes LNG.
The increase in exports is to meet the increasing demand in South Korea for LNG, and the additional imports are expected from 2008.
A senior official of Kogas told Fairplay that if all 6M tonnes were imported from Middle East, about 10 LNG carriers would be required.
He said that an LNG vessel could carry about 600,000 tonnes LNG a year from the Middle East to Korea.
The spokesman commented that reports stating Kogas might sign an MOU with Hyundai Merchant Marine, Hanjin Shipping, SK Shipping and Korea Line for a joint LNG transport company are premature.
The spokesman said that discussions concerning a joint venture between the companies are at a very early stage, and would only progress if contracts for all or some of the new LNG are signed on a free on board basis.