Malaysia's national shipping firm today ordered four tankers from South Korea's Samsung Heavy Industries as part of its expansion in the energy transportation sector.

The Malaysia International Shipping Corp (MISC) said in a statement the contracts were for two liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers and two crude oil tankers. It did not give details of the price.

"The purchase of these four tankers is part of MISC's planned expansion into the energy transportation sector in line with its o­ngoing efforts to be the premier energy-based shipping company in the world," it said.

With a fleet of 15 tankers, MISC is now the world's single largest owner-operator of LNG tankers. It also owns and operates 19 double hulled petroleum vessels.

MISC said another four LNG tankers were being built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding Co Ltd in Japan, and the two new orders would boost its position in the LNG shipping market.

It said this was the second shipbuilding contract awarded to Samsung, with the first signed last year for two crude oil tankers due for delivery next year. AFP