South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering said it has clinched a $370mn deal to build two LNG carriers, reported the country's news agency Yonhap.

Under the deal with an unidentified customer, DSME will deliver the 174,000 m³ capacity carriers by 1H 2021.

The Korean shipyard has an option to build four more vessels as well, which if exercised could potentially take the order's value to around $1.1bn for all six carriers.

The 174,000 m³ capacity has become the new standard maximum, being suitable for the expanded Panama Canal.

Update Dec.7: Shipowner BW Group has since confirmed to NGW that it is the customer.