QatarEnergy has finalized an agreement with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) for the construction of six additional advanced QC-Max vessels. This brings the total number of LNG vessels on order under its fleet expansion initiative to 128, which includes 24 QC-Max mega vessels.
Construction details and capacity
The QC-Max vessels, set to be constructed at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard—an entirely owned subsidiary of CSSC—are the largest LNG carriers ever built, each boasting a capacity of 271,000 cubic meters. The new vessels are anticipated to be delivered between 2028 and 2031, QNA reported.
The agreement was formalized during a special ceremony in Shanghai, attended by Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy, Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, alongside Chen Jianliang, chairman of Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co. Ltd., and Hu Kai, president of China Shipbuilding Trading Company.
Bringing the total of LNG vessels on order to 128
QatarEnergy to build 6 new QC-Max LNG vessels at China’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard#QatarEnergy #YourEnergyTransitionPartner #Qatar pic.twitter.com/8hj6h8139i
— QatarEnergy (@qatarenergy) September 9, 2024
Also present were CEO of QatarEnergy LNG, Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Jia Haiying, member of the Party Leadership Group and chief financial officer of CSSC, and Wen Gang, chairman of CSSC, along with numerous senior officials from the Chinese government and executives from QatarEnergy, QatarEnergy LNG, and CSSC.
In his remarks on this occasion, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy, Saad Sherida Al Kaabi, emphasized that the signing of the agreement highlighted the strategic significance of QatarEnergy’s historic LNG fleet expansion program and its commitment to maintaining a leading role in the global LNG market. He further expressed satisfaction in expanding the strong working relationship with CSSC and Hudong-Zhonghua, noted as one of the world’s top shipbuilders, and looked forward to receiving the advanced LNG vessels. Additionally, he mentioned that this expansion would enhance QatarEnergy’s contributions to providing cleaner energy necessary for a practical energy transition.
Read more: QatarEnergy, KPC ink 15-year deal to supply up to 3 MTPA of LNG to Kuwait
Commitment to quality and reliability
The new order of six advanced vessels reflects QatarEnergy’s dedication to quality and reliability. This addition comes alongside the recent order of 18 QC-Max vessels from Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard, bringing the total number of QC-Max vessels ordered by QatarEnergy to 24, with an overall value of approximately $8 billion.
Advancements in technology and sustainability
The QC-Max vessels, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, will bolster QatarEnergy’s ability to fulfill the increasing global demand for LNG, while underscoring its commitment to operational excellence and environmental sustainability. With improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions, these vessels are designed to adhere to the highest safety and environmental standards, marking a significant step forward in sustainable innovation.
QatarEnergy is an integrated energy company dedicated to the sustainable development of cleaner energy resources, contributing to the energy transition in Qatar and beyond.
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