State-run Korea Gas Corp. said Monday that it would place an order for two gas transport ships to local shipbuilders as part of the moves to support the ailing industry.

The company said it moved up the order date from late next year to early next year for two LNG carriers, considering the circumstances of the Korean shipbuilding industry. 


Building the carriers with the size of 3,500 tons will each cost about 150 billion won ($133 million), the company said.

Korea Gas Corp also vowed to ask for the repair and maintenance of its 21 LNG carriers to local shipyards. LNG carriers require regular checks and repairs twice over a five year period.

The repair work is expected to bring over 80 billion won to shipbuilders, considering that repair for one LNG carrier costs about 4 billion won.

By Lee Hyun-jeong  (rene@heraldcorp.com)