By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Sept. 11 -- Nakilat, the joint venture of Overseas Shipholding Group Inc. and Qatar Gas Transport Co., will soon take delivery of four new-generation, Q-Flex LNG carriers.
The first two carriers—the Al Gattara built by Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. and the Tembek built by Samsung Heavy Industries in Geoje Island, South Korea—are scheduled to be delivered at the end of October.
Deliveries for the remaining vessels are expected in early 2008.
The Q-Flex LNG carriers can transport 216,000 cu m of LNG each, about 40% more than the standard LNG vessels currently in service. They are equipped with an onboard reliquefaction plant.
In addition, the vessels have lower energy requirements than conventional LNG vessels due to economies of scale created by their size and the efficiency of low-emission, electronically controlled diesel engines. Safety features include dual propellers and rudders.
Nakilat last year added six Q-Max LNG carriers to its fleet, which is expected to comprise 61 carriers by 2010 (OGJ, June 5, 2006, Newsletter).