GLOBAL

Country SelectorContact Us

Jump menu

Secondary Navigation | back to top

Main content |  back to top

News & Media releases

Qatar Gas Transport Co. Ltd, (Nakilat) appoints Shell to manage company's fleet of new LNG carriers

18/11/2006

Qatar Gas Transport Company Limited (Nakilat) has appointed Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (Shell) to manage its fleet of at least 27 new LNG carriers. Under this 25 year deal, it is expected that operational management will be transferred to Nakilat within 12 years.

The agreement will involve Shell providing a range of shipping services to Nakilat  including ship management as well as the transfer of know how and expertise to allow Nakilat  to develop its own LNG Ship Management Company in Qatar.

This new fleet of LNG vessels, currently under construction, will be put into service over the next four years to transport product from four of Qatar’s major LNG projects: Qatargas II (Train 5), Qatargas 3 (Train 6), and, subject to the agreement of the JV partners, RasGas III (Train 7) and Qatargas 4 (Train 7). These vessels will have capacities of approximately 215,000 m3 and 265,000 m3.

Faisal Al Suwaidi, Vice Chairman of Nakilat and CEO of Qatargas, said:  “His Highness the Emir, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, has set a clear strategy for the development of Qatar’s natural gas resources which has positioned the country to become the largest LNG supplier in the world by 2011. The shipping component of the value chain is critical to us if we are to meet this ambitious plan.  Our aspiration is to develop a world-class centre of excellence for LNG shipping in Qatar. To achieve this, we knew we had to partner with a world leader in the industry.  We chose Shell because we believe Shell has the track record, knowledge and skills to help us reach our goal.”

Linda Cook, Executive Director, Shell Gas and Power said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as Nakilat’s partner and to support Qatar in their vision to build a first class shipping operation. We are honoured to be selected to provide a full range of services to Nakilat’s large fleet of new LNG carriers. Qatar is well positioned to be the world leader in LNG while Shell is already involved in over a quarter of all LNG cargoes delivered. Today’s agreement is aligned with our broader strategy of helping Qatar develop its natural gas resources and further strengthens a well-established relationship.”


 

Editor’s Notes:

Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd. (Nakilat):

Nakilat was formed in June 2004 and is a joint stock company owned 50% by its founding shareholders and 50% by the public as a result of an IPO issued early 2005. It is publicly traded on the Doha Securities Market (DSM).

In addition to owning LNG tankers, Nakilat is involved in a number of other marine related ventures in the State of Qatar. These include:

  • the design, building and operation of a state of the art ship repair yard (drydock facility) in Ras Laffan which is expected to be operational by end 2009;
  • ownership of vessels to transport the associated products of LPG, sulphur and condensate produced by Qatar gas projects;
  • Nakilat Agency Company which is the exclusive agent for all ships calling at the port of Ras Laffan owning and operating tug boats, pilot boats and other harbour craft in the port of Ras Laffan;
  • Nakilat Fuji which is a ship chandlery business providing food, provisions and stores to vessels calling at Qatari ports, and warehousing services essentially for LNG vessel spare parts in Ras Laffan.

Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (Shell)

Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (Shell) provides trading and shipping services for Shell Group operating companies and third party customers.  Along with trading activities in crude oil and oil products, Shell manages a large fleet of oil tankers and gas carriers and charters additional vessels to transport Shell and third party cargoes around the world.  Shell also provides shipping advice, services and expertise to Shell operating companies and Joint Ventures in more than 40 countries.

Shell manages one of the largest LNG fleets in the world and is involved in the delivery of more than a quarter of all LNG cargoes. With four decades of LNG shipping expertise, Shell provides a comprehensive range of services from feasibility and development studies through to ship/shore operations management, vessel acquisition and vessel management.