Offshore staff

LONDON -- The world's largest LNG vessel, classed by Lloyd's Register, was named at Samsung Heavy Industry's (SHI) shipyard on Geoje Island, South Korea. Mozah, the first "Q-Max"-sized vessel with a capacity for 266,000 cu m (9.39 MMcf) of LNG, will carry almost 80% more cargo than conventional ships, according to the operator, Qatar Gas Transport Co.

The Q-Max model, "Q" for Qatar and "Max" for the maximum size of ship able to dock at the LNG terminals in Qatar, features fuel- and thermally efficient slow-speed diesel which reduce overall emissions by 30%.

The improved economies of scale inherent in the much larger comparative load capacity also are expected to reduce shipping costs about 30%. Shipping costs typically account for about one-third of the price for LNG, according to Lloyd's Register.

"The adoption of new technology after rigorous qualification processes allowed significant economies of scale to be achieved," says Andy Richardson, shipping project manager for the Qatargas Operating Company Ltd. "Redundant, highly efficient propulsion systems and onboard re-liquefaction have realized operational efficiencies and a reduction in emissions."

In all, Qatari interests and their partners have ordered 14 Q-Max and 31 Q-Flex-sized LNG ships from three Korean shipbuilders, 17 of which will be built to Lloyd's Register class.

07/11/2008