Qatar is set to buy new LNG vessels to transport the increased output of gas. The increase in output augurs well for Qatar shipping sector as more ships will be required to transport LNG. The announcement to buy more vessels comes after Qatar unveiled its plans to increase its LNG production.
Minister of State for Energy Affairs and the President and CEO of Qatar Petroleum, H E Saad bin Sherida Al Kaabi, said last week that Qatar will be acquiring a substantial number of LNG vessels to transport the increased output of gas. It may require up to 60 additional ships which will be depending on various factors.
“It should be between 50 and 60 vessels that we will require to transport the expanded output of LNG which will increase from 77 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to 110mtpa by 2024. It will be very substantial number, but things will become clear with time,” said H E Al Kaabi in response to a question at a press conference held on the sidelines of the launch of TAWTEEN programme.
Qatar has announced plans, last year, to increase LNG output from 77 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to 110mtpa by 2024.
Currently, Nakilat, a Qatari-owned shipping and maritime company, is providing the critical transportation link in Qatar’s LNG supply chain. The company’s LNG shipping fleet is the largest in the world, comprising of 65 LNG vessels.
In addition to its core shipping activities, Nakilat operates the ship repair and construction facilities at Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard in Ras Laffan Industrial City via two strategic joint ventures: Nakilat-Keppel Offshore & Marine (N-KOM) and Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar (NDSQ).
The number of ship repairs at N-KOM has increased by 25 percent in the first half of 2018 at the world-class Erhama bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard compared to the same period last year.
Established in 2007, N-KOM is a joint venture between Qatar’s premier gas shipper Nakilat and leading offshore rig constructor and ship repairer Keppel Offshore & Marine.
As of September last year, N-KOM has completed over 850 marine and offshore projects since its inception. The shipyard continues to experience strong interest for its repair services from ship-owners. Company’s expertise in LNG carrier repairs has attracted 18 vessels for routine docking and membrane repairs in the first half of the year.
Widely known as experts in handling gas carriers and a variety of other vessels, N-KOM continues to win new and repeat clientele with its track record of safe, quality and timely deliveries. Qatar’s shipbuilding and repair sector will strengthen further in future, as the country consolidates its position in global LNG sector.
