Hoegh LNG ship to serve as China’s first FSRU

MAY 2, 2013 — Oslo-headquartered Hoegh LNG’s 145,130 cu.m GDF Suez Cape Anne is to serve as the the first floating storage and regasification unit in China. Delivered from shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries in 2010, the ship is on a 20 year time charter to GDF Suez and Hoegh LNG has signed an agreement that will allow the vessel to serve the Tianjin project under a sub-charter between GDF Suez and China National Offshore Oil Corporation Gas & Power Ltd.

Höegh LNG says it has worked closely with GDF Suez over the last two years in order to support its customer with the sublet of the vessel, which is scheduled for commissioning in Tianjin in October 2013, followed by commercial operations thereafter.

Höegh LNG will continue to operate the vessel.

The vessel is expected to be permanently moored at Tianjin for a period of up to five years operating as an FSRU while at the same time maintaining full trading capability. The FSRU will be the first floating LNG import terminal in China. The unit will fulfill the same role as a land based terminal whilst providing a shorter timeline for the ability of receiving LNG into Tianjin and fuel growth of the whole region.

President and Chief Executive Officer Sveinung J.S. Støhle commented: “Höegh LNG is very pleased to have supported GDF Suez with the flexibility of sub-chartering the vessel to CNOOC for the use as an FSRU, and at the same time establish an important presence in a rapidly growing Chinese market.”