Qatar makes history with largest LNG ship

Qatar’s first Q-Max LNG carrier
BUSAN, South Korea: “I give my name to her – Mozah. May she sail safe and smooth wherever she goes in the world.”
With these words history was created. The world’s largest LNG carrier was now Qatar’s very own.
Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Nasser al-Misnad yesterday named Qatar’s first Q-Max liquefied natural gas carrier at Samsung’s Geoje Shipyard to a rapturous reception and a glittering sideshow.
HH Sheikha Mozah was then taken on a tour of the floating giant and briefed on its capabilities, accompanied by HE the Deputy Premier Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah, South Korea’s Minister of Knowledge and Economy Lee Youn-Ho and officials and ambassadors.
Speaking on the occasion al-Attiyah said: “Today, history has been made. This ship is not only the largest and most advanced LNG carrier in the world but it also demonstrates our ability to achieve our vision of becoming the largest LNG ship owner in the world.
“In addition it shows the vision and dream of a nation, the determination and capability of an industry, and the dedication and commitment of thousands of individuals from around the globe who have contributed to Qatar’s LNG industry and to this remarkable achievement.”
Known as Hulk 1675 till the naming ceremony yesterday, the 266,000-cubic-metre vessel is due for delivery by mid-September and scheduled to start ferrying Qatargas LNG to the United Kingdom in October. It has already passed its sailing and gas carrying tests.
Mozah is the first wholly-owned LNG carrier in the Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat) fleet of vessels, said Mohamed Ghannam, its managing director. It is the 29th ship to be named in the fleet.
By the third quarter of this year, 28 of the 29 jointly-owned LNG vessels will be operational and by the third quarter of next year, all of these vessels will be fully operational, added Ghannam.
“And, over the next two years, all of our 25, wholly-owned, new LNG ships, 14 Q-Max and 11 Q-Flex, will be fully operational.”
The 345-metre-long Mozah measures 58 metres at the beam. It is the first of 11 Q-Max ships being built by Samsung Heavy Industries for Nakilat.
Samsung will also be building seven Q-Flex – a much smaller, 217,000-cubic-metre version of the Q-Max – and two conventional LNG carriers, the smallest of the models, for Nakilat.
The Q-Max is 80% larger than the conventional carriers and includes a number of firsts that include onboard liquefaction units, slow speed diesel engines, twin propellers and rudders, larger membrane cargo tanks, besides the latest in hull anti-fouling protection and improved fire-protection systems.
The biggest though it might be, the Q-Max consumes 40% less energy and emissions per cargo-ton mile compared to the conventional ships, said Ghannam.
He said: “Q-Max ships can deliver LNG for about 20% less cost than we can with conventional carriers. This means that we can deliver LNG to more distant markets and remain competitive with other sources of energy.
“We are positioned to have the entire Qatar LNG fleet ready to transport LNG around the globe by 2010. We are committed to deliver Qatar’s energy to the world in a safe and reliable manner,” Ghannam said.
Yesterday’s function was attended by the ambassador of Qatar to Korea and the Korean ambassador to Qatar, Nakilat, Qatargas and Samsung officials among other guests.