Steel cutting starts at Hyundai Samho for Nakilat’s new vessels

Nakilat has announced the start of construction on six gas carriers with a steel-cutting ceremony at HD Hyundai Samho shipyard in South Korea. The event signifies the latest phase in the Qatari LNG shipping company’s fleet expansion programme.

The newbuilds comprise two 174,000-m³ LNG carriers and four 88,000-m³ LPG/ammonia carriers. Delivery is scheduled between 2026 and 2027, supporting Nakilat’s objective of strengthening its fleet to meet global energy shipping demands.

The company currently owns one of the world’s largest LNG carrier fleets, consisting of 69 LNG vessels, alongside four very large gas carriers (VLGCs) and a floating storage regasification unit.

“This milestone underscores Nakilat’s dedication to expanding its world-class fleet and supporting Qatar’s leadership in global gas supply,” said Nakilat chief executive Abdullah Al-Sulaiti. “Our investment in these advanced vessels highlights our dedicated focus on operational excellence, sustainability and the adoption of cutting-edge maritime technologies, enabling us to provide innovative and flexible shipping solutions to meet the evolving needs of the global energy shipping sector.”

The steel cutting event was attended by representatives from Nakilat, HD Hyundai Samho and other industry stakeholders.

The new vessels will be fitted with fuel-efficient propulsion systems and incorporate technological advancements aimed at reducing emissions, as Nakilat has stated its commitment to environmental responsibility remains a core part of its long-term strategy.

Nakilat’s current fleet includes 13 QMax LNG carriers (271,000-m³), 19 QFlex LNG carriers (210,000-m³) and 13 LNG carriers held in joint ventures.

The company has an orderbook of 30 vessels, which includes 17 large LNG carriers (174,000-m³), nine QMax LNG carriers and four VLGCs.

Nakilat’s existing fleet and orderbook are valued at approximately US$11.9Bn, according to VesselsValue.