Golar LNG secures vessel for fourth FLNG conversion project

Golar LNG Limited has agreed to acquire the LNG carrier Grace Dahlia from Japan’s NYK Line for conversion into its fourth floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) unit.

The 2013-built vessel will serve as the conversion platform for FLNG #4, which Golar ordered on 12 August 2026.

The acquisition represents a further step in the company’s FLNG development programme, which involves converting existing LNG carriers into floating production facilities.

Larger LNG storage capacity

Grace Dahlia has an LNG storage capacity of 177,427 cubic metres, approximately 20% greater than that planned for Golar’s 3.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) FLNG Esperanza, which is currently under construction.

According to Golar, the additional storage capacity is expected to provide prospective customers with greater flexibility when scheduling LNG offloading operations.

The new facility will retain the company’s repeat MKII design, allowing Golar to apply an established conversion concept while incorporating the larger storage capacity.

Conversion planned at Chinese shipyard

The vessel will be converted into FLNG #4 at CIMC Raffles’ Yantai shipyard in China, alongside the ongoing construction of FLNG Esperanza.

Golar expects FLNG #4 to be redelivered in 2029.

The company describes the project as the earliest available FLNG capacity worldwide, although this is a company assessment rather than an independently verified market ranking.

The announcement did not disclose the acquisition price of Grace Dahlia or identify a customer for the future FLNG unit.