RasGas charters two more LNG ships

Oct. 17, 2003
RasLaffan Liquefied Natural Gas Co. Ltd. (II) (RasGas II) has chartered two more LNG carriers—each with a storage capacity of 145,000 cu m—bringing to five the number of long-term chartered vessels in the fleet it will use to deliver LNG from facilities at Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar. RasGas II said it will charter the vessels for 25 years.

By OGJ editors

HOUSTON, Oct. 17 -- RasLaffan Liquefied Natural Gas Co. Ltd. (II) (RasGas II) has chartered two more LNG carriers—each with a storage capacity of 145,000 cu m—bringing to five the number of long-term chartered vessels in the fleet it will use to deliver LNG from facilities at Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar. RasGas II said it will charter the vessels for 25 years.

The two newbuilds, scheduled for delivery in 2005, will be built at Samsung Heavy Industries' shipyards by a consortium comprised of Mitsui OSK Line, Q-Ship NYK, and K-Line that will own the vessels.

The first two of the five vessels, the138,000 cu m capacity Technigaz MKIII containment system vessels, currently are in the final stages of construction at Samsung Heavy Industries' Koje Shipyard for delivery in January 2004. One remaining charter option has yet to be exercised.

RasGas II is a joint venture of Qatar Petroleum and ExxonMobil Corp. affiliate ExxonMobil RasGas Inc.