Belgian shipowner Transpetrol has been linked to a new order for two LPG carriers at South Korea’s HD Hyundai Samho. The contract, worth about KRW340.2bn ($230.7m), was disclosed by parent group HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, which described the buyer only as a European shipping company. Industry sources have since pointed to the Belgian owner as the party behind the deal. The ships will be large gas carriers designed to transport ammonia, a segment that has been drawing increasing attention as the industry looks at ammonia both as a potential marine fuel and as a carrier for hydrogen. The order adds to Transpetrol’s long-running relationship with HD Hyundai shipyards. The company previously placed orders for very large gas carriers at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in 2014 and has continued to turn to Hyundai-linked builders as it renews and expands its fleet. Alongside its gas shipping exposure, Transpetrol has also been adding tanker tonnage. The owner contracted Hyundai Vietnam Shipbuilding to build four 115,000 dwt LR2 product tankers, which have been delivered or scheduled for delivery this year. Founded more than 30 years ago, Transpetrol currently controls around 15 vessels, including tankers ranging from 45,000 to 110,000 dwt as well as a pair of VLGCs. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); }); TagsBelgium