Golar flush with prompt tonnage as rates soften

Qatari charterers have redelivered an LNG carrier early to Golar LNG, leaving the company with three prompt ships seeking employment.

The 140,200-cbm Golar Viking (built 2005) has been handed back two months earlier than expected, brokers said. The ship is now being quoted as available for prompt delivery.

Golar is also marketing the 145,700-cbm Golar Maria (built 2006), which is due to come off-hire later this year.

In January, Golar fixed its 140,643-cbm Golar Arctic (built 2008) to Marubeni for three years at $137,000 per day.

The company has been keen to wrap up similar deals on its modern ships, brokers said, but the market has softened in the interim.Golar,