As the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market continues to expand at a phenomenal rate, RasGas Company Limited (RasGas), continues to grow its fleet to meet global demand. This week, RasGas, Teekay Nakilat and J5 will name seven Q-Flex LNG carriers, entering into RasGas charters, in ceremonies at both the Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) shipyards in South Korea. These vessels, an increase of almost 50 percent, will bring the RasGas LNG fleet to a total 20 ships ranging from 138,000 cu.m through to 216,000 cu.m. This is a major milestone with seven large LNG ships joining the RasGas fleet simultaneously.
The first four Q-Flex ships with a cargo carrying capacity of 216,000 m, approximately 50 per cent (50%) larger than conventional ships and the largest ships currently chartered by RasGas will be formally named on 20th February at the SHI shipyard in Korea. The ships are owned by Teekay Nakilat (III Corporation) and will deliver LNG in the main to the Far East and US markets.
At second ceremony to be held on February 22nd at the Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co Ltd shipyard also in Korea, the remaining three ships will be formally named in one ceremony. These ships are owned by Nakilat and J5 a Japanese consortium and will serve RasGas global network of customers.
