Confidence has returned to the charter market with several big companies expressing faith in the future of LNG trade, securing favorable financing deals and options for the slew of upstream projects due on stream. Golar LNG has secured $1.125 billion to be repaid over 12 years to fund the first eight of its 13 new-build LNG vessels and floating storage and regasification units, it said July 26, referring to the "extremely attractive long-term market fundamentals." Chairman John Fredriksen said July 26: "To have the support of the Korean export credit agencies to this extent, without requirement for contracts in place, enables Golar to take a more flexible and long-term approach to the LNG shipping market."
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