Qatargas completes first LNG STS with Q-Flex tanker

Qatargas Operating Company (Qatargas) has completed the first-ever commercial ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of LNG cargo involving a Q-Flex LNG vessel.

The company said on Tuesday, 12 January that the transfer took place at Subic Bay, Philippines.

A full cargo of 212,000 cubic meters aboard the Qatargas-chartered Q-Flex vessel Mesaimeer was loaded at Ras Laffan Port on 18 December 2020 and delivered as two separate parcel discharges.

One parcel was delivered as the ship-to-ship transfer in Subic Bay on 6 January 2021 and the second parcel was delivered to the Jiangsu LNG terminal in China.

Both sales were made to PetroChina as the customer.

Commenting on this accomplishment, Khalid bin Khalifa Al Thani, Qatargas’ chief executive officer, stated, “This achievement will enable us to transport considerable volumes as efficiently as possible into key markets. Moreover, this will be an attractive option for our potential customers with limited shipping capacity and for those who are looking for smaller or irregular sized cargo parcels.”

“STS transfers such as this one will optimize our shipping capabilities by using our most efficient LNG vessels to shift volumes into key high-value markets,” Al Thani added.

The LNG vessel, Mesaimeer, is on a long-term charter to Qatargas and operated by NSQL – Nakilat Shipping (Qatar) Limited.