Golar LNG Acquires NYK Carrier for Fourth FLNG Conversion in $2.45bn Expansion Drive

## Golar LNG Secures NYK Vessel for Fourth FLNG Unit Golar LNG has taken a significant step forward in its ambitious expansion strategy, acquiring a 2013-built LNG carrier from Japanese shipping major NYK Line for conversion into its fourth floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) unit, according to Splash247. The Nasdaq-listed FLNG specialist has agreed to purchase the *Grace Dahlia*, a 177,427 cubic metre LNG carrier, which will serve as the donor vessel for the new FLNG conversion. The acquisition fills a critical gap in Golar's $2.45 billion expansion programme, providing the physical asset around which the company's next-generation offshore liquefaction facility will be built. ### A Growing FLNG Fleet The move underscores Golar LNG's position as the world's leading independent FLNG operator. The company has pioneered the conversion of large LNG carriers into floating production units — a model that offers a faster and often more cost-effective route to monetising stranded or offshore gas reserves compared with land-based liquefaction infrastructure. With three FLNG units already in its portfolio or under development, the addition of a fourth conversion vessel signals continued confidence in the commercial viability of the FLNG model, particularly as global demand for LNG supply diversification remains robust in the post-2022 energy security environment. ### NYK Line as Seller NYK Line, one of Japan's largest and most diversified shipping groups, has been an active participant in the LNG carrier market for decades. The sale of the *Grace Dahlia* reflects broader fleet management decisions by the Japanese carrier, though terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The 2013-built vessel's relatively modern vintage makes it a suitable candidate for conversion, offering a hull and containment system with significant remaining operational life once repurposed as an FLNG platform. ### Strategic Significance For Golar LNG, securing the donor vessel is typically one of the longest lead-time elements of an FLNG project, making this acquisition a pivotal milestone. The company's FLNG units — most notably the *Hilli Episeyo*, operating offshore Cameroon — have demonstrated the commercial and technical viability of the conversion approach, attracting long-term offtake agreements with major energy companies. The fourth unit is expected to play a central role in Golar's revenue growth trajectory as the company pursues new upstream gas monetisation contracts across Africa, South America, and Southeast Asia. *Source: Splash247*