Construction commences on eight Nakilat LNG carriers at Hanwha Ocean Shipyard

Qatar Gas Transport Co (Nakilat) has announced the steel cutting of its eight new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers at the Hanwha Ocean Shipyard in Korea, marking the commencement of the construction phase. Each of these vessels will have a capacity of 174,000 m³ and will be chartered to affiliates of QatarEnergy under long-term agreements.

Nakilat chief executive officer Abdullah Al-Sulaiti remarked, "The start of construction marks a significant milestone that reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting Qatar’s vision for LNG transport through a world-class fleet."

The North Field expansion project aims to increase Qatar’s LNG output from 77M tonnes per annum (mta) to 126 mta by 2027. In support of this expansion, QatarEnergy has been actively enhancing its shipping capabilities.

In September 2024, QatarEnergy ordered six additional ultra-large LNG vessels from China State Shipbuilding Corp, bringing its total number of such ships on order to 128 vessels.

The collaboration between Nakilat and Hanwha Ocean underscores the strategic importance of South Korean shipyards in the global LNG supply chain. South Korea has established itself as a leader in the construction of gas carriers, a sector requiring advanced technological expertise.

Head of Hanwha Ocean Europe, Claire Wright, has emphasised the necessity for Korean shipbuilders to maintain their competitive edge by focusing on complex vessel integration, stating, "As Korean shipbuilders, we have to take a different route when looking to remain relevant to customers in the next 20 years."

The new LNG carriers are designed to incorporate cutting-edge technologies, ensuring enhanced operational efficiency and adherence to stringent environmental standards. This focus on innovation reflects Nakilat’s commitment to operational excellence and environmental sustainability.

Mr Al-Sulaiti highlighted these vessels "incorporate the latest advanced technologies, ensuring enhanced operational efficiency and higher reliability while adhering to global environmental standards."