KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 (Reuters) - Malaysia's biggest shipping group, MISC Bhd , said on Wednesday it had ordered four new chemical tankers from South Korea's STX Shipbuilding Co , for delivery in 2009.
MISC, the world's largest carrier of liquefied natural gas and Malaysia's third-largest listed firm, gave no value for the orders, however.

STX said in Seoul on April 3 that it had won orders worth $399.4 million from India and Malaysia to build eight chemical tankers, but did not name the buyers.

MISC, which is 62 percent-owned by state energy firm Petronas [PETR.UL], said the tankers would have a gross weight of 38,000 deadweight tonnes each.

"This is aimed at expanding the capacity and replacement of single hull vessels of MISC Bhd's chemical fleet for the purpose of increasing its market share in chemical and palm oil shipping," the company said in a statement to the stock exchange.

Malaysia is the world's biggest producer and exporter of palm oil. MISC currently has a fleet of 108 vessels, including 18 chemical tankers, its Web site showed.

MISC shares closed Wednesday up 0.6 percent at 8.90 ringgit ($2.43) in line with a higher market. 19/4/06 KUALA LUMPUR (Dow Jones)--Malaysian shipper MISC Bhd. (3816.KU) Wednesday confirmed its order for four chemical tankers from South Korea's STX Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. (067250.SE).

It didn't release any pricing details, but said in a brief exchange filing that the tankers were of 38,000 DWT each, for delivery in 2009.

The buy is aimed at "expanding the capacity and replacement of single hull vessels of MISC Bhd.'s chemical fleet for the purposes of increasing its market share in chemical and palm oil shipping," it said.