Long-term charter for FSU underpins LNG-to-power project

For the time charter, GasLog will convert the 155,000-m³, tri-fuel diesel-electric (TFDE) LNG carrier GasLog Singapore, built in 2010. Despite the conversion, the vessel will still be able to trade as an LNG carrier after its time charter is completed.

GasLog Singapore’s conversion will take place in conjunction with the vessel’s scheduled five-year special survey in Q3 2020, enabling both time and cost synergies with the vessel’s regular drydocking. The charter commences on delivery of the FSU in Panama, scheduled for November 2020.

Since September 2016, GasLog Singapore has been trading in the LNG carrier spot market. The FSU contract is for a fixed period, thereby delivering 100% utilisation for the duration of the charter. The FSU will also incur a lower opex than if the vessel was trading as an LNG carrier, with GasLog estimating that the charter will generate approximately US$20M of EBITDA per annum over its 10-year life.

The FSU will receive, store and send out LNG to a gas-fired power plant currently being developed near Colón, Panama, by Sinolam Smarter Energy LNG Power Company, a subsidiary of private Chinese investment group Shanghai Gorgeous Investment Development Company. The power project has signed long-term power purchase agreements with leading Panamanian utility companies as well as a 15-year LNG sale and purchase agreement with Royal Dutch Shell.

GasLog chief executive Paul Wogan said, “The 10-year FSU charter once again demonstrates GasLog’s ability to execute on our strategic objectives of locking in long-term stable revenues and full utilisation on one of our existing open vessels. Owning and operating an FSU will also expand GasLog’s service offering. We look forward to partnering with Sinolam to deliver gas-fired power to Panama, thereby displacing coal, oil and oil products in the country’s energy mix with cleaner natural gas.”

Sinolam Smarter Energy chief executive Kenneth Zhang said, “The LNG floating storage unit is a key element of our integrated power project, and we are very pleased to welcome GasLog as a strategic partner for our commercial operations. GasLog’s entry into the project is a vote of confidence in our business platform and the attractiveness of Panama as an investment opportunity.”