Norway's BW LNG buys two LNG carriers from Stena Bulk, expands fleet to 34 ships

BW LNG has significantly expanded its fleet with the recent acquisition of two additional LNG carriers from Stena Bulk, it said in a statement March 26.

BW LNG is a subsidiary of the BW Group, and specializes in the transportation and distribution of LNG through its fleet of LNG carriers. The company develops floating LNG solutions to promote the transition to a low-carbon society.

The 2011-built, 170,138 cu m, Stena Crystal Sky and the 170,121 cu m Stena Clear Sky have been acquired for an undisclosed sum by BW LNG, according to the statement. These Tri Fuel Diesel Electric LNG carriers are two of three ships that Stena Bulk had totally controlled.

The two TFDE ships were renamed to BW ENN Crystal Sky and BW Clear Sky.

Stena Bulk put up its winterized LNG carriers and its LNG technology business unit up for sale in June 2023. This includes Crystal Sky and Clear sky.

The newly purchased ships are scheduled to be deployed for chartering purposes, as BW LNG has ongoing charters with companies such as TotalEnergies and China's ENN Energy.

With the acquisition of both LNG carriers, BW LNG's fleet increases to 34 vessels, which includes four FSRU's and four newbuilds which are currently under construction.

The former Daewoo shipbuilding & Marine engineering carriers have left the third vessel with Stena Bulk, the 18-year-old steam ship, Stena Blue Sky.

BW LNG have also decided not to obtain Stena Bulk's technology division, despite it being up for sale, which has created various offshore solutions for the storage, processing, and regasification of LNG and other fuels.

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, assessed Atlantic Tri Fuel Diesel Electric LNG carriers' day rate at $40,000/d, at 100% ballast rate on March 26.