Lila Global snaps up two ageing LNG carriers as gas trade upheaval bites
The acquisitions mark Lila Global’s entry into the LNG segment as Gulf export disruptions reshape global gas flows.
Lila Global has strengthened its position in the vintage LNG carrier market with two strategic acquisitions, capitalizing on the current upheaval in global gas trade. The company, linked to GMS under the leadership of Anil Sharma, has added two steam-powered vessels to its fleet in recent weeks.
The first acquisition involves the 18-year-old Tangguh Batur, a 145,700-cubic-meter carrier purchased for $30 million and rebranded as Eagle M. Since the deal, the vessel’s value has climbed, with VesselsValue now estimating its worth at $32.75 million. The second vessel, the 2003-built Castillo de Villalba, was acquired for $24.5 million, well above its market valuation of just under $18 million, and renamed Carla. Previously owned by Spain’s Elcano, this ship is five years older than the Eagle M.
Two vessels join the fleet: Lila Global
The purchases come as the LNG shipping sector navigates unprecedented disruption. The near-halt of Gulf exports has rerouted cargoes globally, compelling Asian buyers to seek new suppliers and driving European gas prices to their highest levels since 2022. Industry observers suggest Lila Global’s expansion could either prove a timely bet on market volatility or a calculated response to long-term shifts in energy trade.
Natural Gas
With both vessels now listed on Lila Global’s website, the company’s entry into the LNG segment marks a bold step amid an evolving maritime landscape.
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