QatarEnergy adds six new huge LNG carriers to its historic fleet expansion program

Pressing on with its massive LNG fleet expansion program, Qatar’s state-owned energy giant QatarEnergy has signed another agreement with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) for the construction of six additional QC-Max LNG carriers with a capacity of 271,000 cubic meters each, which are described as the largest LNG ships ever built.

The latest agreement brings the total number of LNG vessels on order under QatarEnergy’s fleet expansion program to 128, including 24 QC-Max mega vessels.

The new vessels, which will be built at China’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard, a wholly-owned CSSC subsidiary, will be delivered between 2028 and 2031.

The latest order for six new carriers comes on the back of 18 QC-Max vessels recently ordered from Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard, bringing the total number of QC-Max vessels ordered by QatarEnergy to 24, with a total value of about $8 billion. The charter and operation of nine ultra-modern QC-Max size LNG vessels are assigned to Qatari shipping and maritime player, Qatar Gas Transport Company Limited (Nakilat).

Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy Affairs, the President and CEO of QatarEnergy, commented: “The signing of today’s agreement is underscored by the strategic importance of QatarEnergy’s historic LNG fleet expansion program and its commitment to maintaining a leadership position in the global LNG market.

“We are very pleased to expand our excellent working relationship with CSSC and Hudong-Zhonghua, one of the world’s premier shipbuilders. We look forward to receiving these advanced LNG vessels and expanding our role in providing the world with the cleaner energy needed for a realistic and practical energy transition.”

According to QatarEnergy, the QC-Max vessels are designed with fuel efficiency and emission reduction in mind to enhance the company’s capacity to meet the growing global LNG demand while reinforcing its dedication to operational excellence and environmental sustainability.

The fleet expansion program is part of Qatari company’s determination to keep the leading position in the global LNG market. To this end, QatarEnergy is adding another expansion project to its arsenal at the North Field, thus, 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 scale up the country’s LNG production capacity by almost 85% from current production levels by 2030.