First LNG vessel duo in QatarEnergy’s historic shipbuilding program get their names (Gallery)

Qatar’s state-owned energy giant QatarEnergy has held a naming ceremony for the first two conventional-size liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels under its historic shipbuilding program at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard in Shanghai, China.

The inauguration of the Rex Tillerson LNG vessel, the first ship to be named, which the Qatari giant explained was selected to carry the name of the former Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil as a tribute to his lifelong accomplishments in the energy sector, was attended by Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs, President and CEO of QatarEnergy.

During his speech at the ship naming ceremony, Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi highlighted: “Mr. Tillerson’s legacy will always be remembered in Qatar and around the world, particularly for his wisdom, warmth, and sincerity, which drove one of the oldest Qatari relationships with international oil companies towards greater prosperity. We are grateful for Rex’s friendship and partnership with Qatar, and his long-lasting marks on the global energy industry.”

QatarEnergy’s CEO wished the new vessel “fair winds and following seas” as it carries Tillerson’s legacy to all corners of the world, as is custom during such events. The vessel naming ceremony was held a day after the company disclosed six additional QC-Max LNG carriers with a capacity of 271,000 cubic meters each were added to the company’s fleet expansion program, which now entails 128 ships, including 24 QC-Max mega vessels.

 “This event embodies our commitment to meet the world’s growing need for cleaner energy and to be part of the global economic development for decades to come. As the first ship in our new LNG fleet, the Rex Tillerson will undoubtedly play a significant role as she carries Qatari-produced LNG to many receiving terminals across the globe. It is our honor to name the first vessel in Rex Tillerson’s name as a tribute to his life-long accomplishments and as a symbol of a special friendship,” emphasized Al-Kaabi.

Many others were also in attendance, including Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al-Thani, CEO of QatarEnergy LNG; Jia Haiying, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Chief Financial Officer of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC); Chen Jianliang, Chairman of Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding; Takeshi Hashimoto, President and CEO of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines; Zhu Bixin, President of China COSCO SHIPPING Corporation Limited; QatarEnergy’s first Chinese shipowner, and senior executives from QatarEnergy and QatarEnergy LNG.

Commenting on the occasion and honor bestowed upon him, Tillerson underlined: “During my almost 42-year career with ExxonMobil Corporation, one of the highlights was working with Qatar to develop its LNG trade. Under the wise leadership of His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and the continuing wise leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar has become the largest exporter of liquefied natural gas to the world. I am deeply honored to have this magnificent ship carry my name. I hope it will have many years of safe service delivering energy the world over.”

Aside from celebrating the naming of the Rex Tillerson vessel, QatarEnergy also marked the name-giving ceremony for a second vessel, called Umm Ghuwailina. These two ships, which are part of 12 conventional-size LNG vessels contracted with the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard, are set to be delivered ahead of their contracted delivery schedule under a long-term charter by QatarEnergy Trading (QET).

Reflecting QatarEnergy’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, the vessels, envisioned to be equipped with the latest maritime technology to ensure optimal operational efficiency and compliance with the most stringent environmental regulations, will sport dual-fuel engines, generators, and boilers to curb fuel consumption and emissions.

Al-Kaabi believes employing a balancing act between energy security, affordability, and sustainability will enable countries around the globe to propel the energy transition journey forward. As a result, QatarEnergy has set the stage to bolster its gas reserves and add another expansion project to its arsenal at the giant field it shares with Iran.

As a result, the North Field East (NFE) and the North Field South (NFS) undertakings will be joined by the North Field West (NFW) project, which is anticipated to ramp up the country’s LNG production capacity by nearly 85% from current production levels by 2030.