QatarEnergy adds to LNG vessel fleet

QatarEnergy has ordered six more LNG QC-Max vessels from China State Shipbuilding Corp. (CSSC), bringing the total number of LNG vessels on order under its fleet expansion program to 128, including 24 QC-Max mega vessels.

The QC-Max vessels, which will be built at China’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard, a wholly-owned CSSC subsidiary, are the largest LNG vessels ever built with a capacity of 271,000 cubic meters each. The new advanced carriers are scheduled to be delivered between 2028 and 2031.

QatarEnergy has added to its LNG-powered fleet with an order for six new vessels. (Image: QatarEnergy)

In his comments on this occasion, Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi said: “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.”

The six new advanced vessels are in addition to 18 QC-Max vessels recently ordered from Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard. This brings the total number of QC-Max vessels ordered by QatarEnergy to 24, with a total value of about US$8 billion.

The QC-Max vessels will help QatarEnergy meet the growing global LNG demand while reinforcing its dedication to operational excellence and environmental sustainability, the company said.