Nakilat Takes Over First LNG Carrier Management from Shell

Doha, October 30 (QNA) - Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat) has announced the management takeover of Q-Max LNG carrier Mozah from Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (STASCO). This is the first vessel to be transitioned as part of the phased management transition. Mozah will also be the first Q-Max LNG carrier to be managed in-house by NSQL, which is currently managing 4 Q-Flex LNG and 4 large LPG carriers. To mark the occasion, a video conference was held between HE the Minister of Energy of Industry and Industry and Chairman of Nakilat Dr. Mohammed bin Saleh Al Sada and the personnel onboard Mozah, to welcome them to Nakilat and discuss the importance of this transition to Nakilat and the State of Qatar. Nakilat Managing Director Eng. Abdullah Fadhalah Al Sulaiti said: "This management takeover of Mozah today will mark the beginning of another chapter for Nakilats operations as we expand our role as a ship manager and move towards consolidating the operations for our wholly-owned vessels in-house. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all those involved in today's successful transition, which is the fruition of hard work, careful preparations and perseverance at propelling Nakilat to greater heights." "The management of our vessels centrally from Qatar will allow Nakilat to strategically capitalize on the existing skill base, expertise and synergy with our Charterers and realize operational efficiencies in addition to optimizing costs. We remain steadfastly committed towards ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality across our fleet as we strive to be a global leader and provider of choice for energy transportation and maritime services," Al Sulaiti added. Mozah, a Q-Max vessel wholly-owned by Nakilat and chartered by Qatargas, is the world's largest LNG carrier in operation with a cargo carrying capacity of 266,000 cubic meters. It has completed 55 voyages, covering almost 700,000 nautical miles, since it was delivered in July 2008. Nakilat is a Qatari LNG transport company providing an essential transportation link in the State of Qatars LNG supply chain. Its LNG shipping fleet is the largest in the world, comprising of 63 LNG vessels. Nakilat also owns and manages four large LPG carriers. Nakilat operates the ship repair and construction facilities at Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard in Ras Laffan Industrial City via two strategic joint ventures: N-KOM and NDSQ. Nakilat also offers a full range of marine support services to vessels operating in Qatari waters. (QNA)