Shipping

Japan keen on FLNG development

Baird Maritime

Japanese companies have met with the Government to discuss the best way to compete with the US and European nations in the commercialisation of FLNG.

According to the Nikkei, companies such as Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp, NYK, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Mitsui OSK Lines are seeking partners within the group when they bid for FLNG plant projects, which are scheduled to start around 2015.

The demand for natural gas has seen a spike of some 30 percent over the past ten years and rising demand from emerging nations is seeing the development of gas fields moving further offshore from inland and coastal regions.

Around 20 gas fields are currently earmarked as potential FLNG bases.

During the meeting, the consortium discussed technical difficulties and set a deadline for safety guidelines to be drawn up in six months.