US liquefaction developer Venture Global LNG has named the first of its nine-ship LNG carrier fleet with one of at least three ships it purchased from JP Morgan interests.

Venture Global, which is embroiled in rows with its offtakers after it refused to start supply under their sales and purchase agreements until its first plant achieves commercial operations, named the 174,000-cbm Venture Gator in a ceremony at Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea.