[LNG Prime/ May 29, 2023] South Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has launched a 174,000-cbm liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier for Greece’s Capital Gas.

Evangelos Marinakis-led Capital Gas said in a social media post that the LNG carrier Axios II was launched on May 22, but it did not provide any additional information.

According to the shipping company’s website, the 299 meters long LNG carrier features MAN ME-GA engines and GTT’s Mark III Flex containment system.

Classed by ABS, the vessel also has Hi-ALS air lubrication system and shaft generators.

VesselsValue data shows that this LNG carrier is a part of an order for two LNG carriers from May 2021.

Under this order, Capital Gas will pay about $193 million for each of the LNG carriers and take delivery of the vessels by December 2023.

Amore Mio I and Axios II are the eighth and ninth vessel in the fleet managed by Capital Gas.

Besides these nine LNG carriers, Capital Gas has nine more vessels on order in South Korea and they will all feature ME-GA propulsion, its website shows.

In March, Capital Gas ordered two more LNG carriers at South Korea’s Hyundai Samho.

Prior to this, New York-listed Capital Product Partners took delivery of the seventh LNG carrier managed by Capital Gas in South Korea.

Capital Product Partners purchased Asterix I in June last year from its sponsor Capital Maritime & Trading Corp, boosting its owned fleet to seven LNG tankers.

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