GasLog signs 10-year time charter for provision of an LNG floating storage unit to Panama power project
GasLog Ltd. has announces that one of its subsidiaries has signed a 10-year time charter with Sinolam LNG Terminal, S.A. for the provision of a liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) floating storage unit (“FSU”) to a gas-fired power project being developed in Panama.
The time charter is expected to be fulfilled through the conversion of the GasLog Singapore, a 155,000 cubic meter, tri-fuel diesel electric (“TFDE”) LNG carrier built in 2010. The required modifications are such that, as well as being FSU ready, the vessel will still be able to trade as an LNG carrier following the conversion works. The GasLog Singapore’s conversion will take place in conjunction with the vessel’s scheduled 5-year special survey in the third quarter of 2020, enabling both time and cost synergies with the vessel’s regular dry-docking. The charter commences on delivery of the FSU in Panama, which is scheduled for November 2020.
Since September 2016, the GasLog Singapore has been trading in the LNG carrier spot market. The FSU contract is for a fixed period, thereby delivering 100% utilization 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 $20 million 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 (“Sinolam”), 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 plc.
About GasLog
GasLog is an international owner, operator and manager of LNG carriers providing support to international energy companies as part of their LNG logistics chain. GasLog’s consolidated fleet consists of 35 LNG carriers. Of these vessels, 19 (12 on the water and seven on order) are owned by GasLog, one has been sold to a subsidiary of Mitsui Co. Ltd. and leased back by GasLog under a long-term bareboat charter and the remaining 15 LNG carriers are owned by the Company’s subsidiary, GasLog Partners LP. GasLog's principal executive offices are at Gildo Pastor Center, 7 Rue du Gabian, MC 98000, Monaco.