Maritime brokerage MB Shipbrokers reports that Evalend Shipping, a Greek shipping company owned by Kriton Lendoudis, has resold two liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers it had ordered from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to European alternative asset management firm Hayfin Capital Management. The vessels are expected to be delivered in 2029.
It is reported that Evalend placed orders for a total of four 174,000 m³ LNG carriers with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in two batches—two in 2023 and two in 2024. The unit price for each vessel in the two batches was $265 million and $269 million, respectively. The new vessels were originally scheduled to be delivered in full by May 2028.
No specific details regarding Evalend’s resale transaction have been disclosed at this time. Regardless of which two vessels under construction were sold, their delivery dates have been postponed.
It is worth noting that the acquisition of two LNG carriers under construction from Evalend marks Hayfin Capital Management’s first foray into the newbuild market for LNG carriers. Although the firm has a track record of investments in the LNG sector, these have previously been limited to secondhand vessels or portfolio investments and financing support.
In the LNG carrier market, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has announced nine new vessels so far this year, including eight 200,000 m³ LNG carriers ordered by Norway’s Ocean Yield and Japan’s NYK Line, as well as one 180,000 m³ LNG carrier ordered by Greece’s Tsakos.
