Having originally entered the LNG market on a speculative basis, the Norwegian maritime community is now looking to dramatically grow its share of this highly prospective market, while simultaneously cultivating new opportunities in the ro-ro sector. Shipping companies are leading the LNG charge. Last year saw the delivery of the first two vessels in the Bergesen group's large LNG carrier newbuild programme, with the remaining five orders due by the end of 2006. Because of the sizeable returns available, and the acute demand for tonnage, shipowners and operators are clamouring to order newbuilds as well as convert existing vessels into fully fledged LNG carriers.
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