QatarEnergy has entered into a long-term agreement with Qatar Gas Transport Company Limited (Nakilat) to own and operate nine “QC-Max” class LNG vessels. These vessels are noted as the largest LNG vessels ever constructed. The signing took place at QatarEnergy’s headquarters in Doha, attended by senior executives from both companies.
The QC-Max vessels, each with a capacity of 271,000 cubic meters, represent half of the 18 advanced QC-Max class LNG vessels planned for construction at China’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard. This initiative is part of QatarEnergy’s fleet expansion program, which includes contracts for 104 conventional LNG vessels and 18 QC-Max class LNG vessels, totaling 122 new ships. The first vessel is expected to be delivered by the end of the third quarter this year.
His Excellency Mr. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy, remarked on the significance of Nakilat joining “a list of world-class shipowners operating our state-of-the-art QC-Max LNG vessels – the largest ever built.” He further emphasized that this move demonstrates Nakilat’s significant capabilities.
Minister Al-Kaabi also mentioned that “with last month’s signing of the industry’s largest single shipbuilding contract ever,” QatarEnergy is advancing its historic LNG vessel expansion program confidently. He assured that Nakilat and selected international shipowners would maintain high standards in safety, technical aspects, and environmental considerations.
This agreement follows February’s decision to have Nakilat own and operate 25 conventional-size LNG vessels and similar agreements signed in Beijing with three Chinese ship owners for nine new QC-Max class LNG vessels. These efforts align with QatarEnergy’s strategy to expand its LNG production capacity from the North Field to 142 million tons per annum by 2030.
