QatarEnergy has officially launched four new liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels built in South Korea, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing fleet expansion program. The ships—named “Id’asah,” “Nuaijah,” “Umm Swayyah,” and “Lebrethah”—are the first to be delivered from Korean shipyards under what QatarEnergy describes as the largest shipbuilding initiative in LNG shipping history.
The four vessels are part of a total order of 128 ships from shipyards in both Korea and China. The inaugural naming ceremonies took place separately at two major Korean facilities. The “Id’asah” was named at Samsung Heavy Industries Shipyard, while the other three vessels were named at Hanwha Ocean Shipyard in Geoje.
During the ceremony at Samsung Heavy Industries, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy, stated: “This very special occasion highlights the growth of QatarEnergy’s strategic partnership with Samsung Heavy Industries and JP Morgan Asset Management’s Global Transportation Group. This event is not only a milestone in our journey, but also a celebration of our partnership and joint commitment to deliver cleaner energy to the world.”
Al-Kaabi expressed appreciation to the shipowner, a subsidiary of JP Morgan Asset Management’s Global Transportation Group, for their dedication, as well as to Samsung Heavy Industries for their workmanship.
At Hanwha Ocean Shipyard, where “Nuaijah,” “Umm Swayyah,” and “Lebrethah” were named, Al-Kaabi commented: “This is a historic moment as these three LNG vessels prepare to set sail on their missions across the globe, providing a cleaner and more economic source of energy, and are equipped with state-of-the-art technologies to achieve optimal fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.”
He also thanked Pan Ocean, H-Line Shipping, SK Shipping—the members of the Korean KGL Consortium that own these vessels—and Hanwha Ocean for their role in bringing the project forward.
Senior executives from QatarEnergy, QatarEnergy LNG, representatives from shipyards and owner companies, as well as officials from the Korean government attended both ceremonies.
