(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Mohammad Shoeb I The Peninsula
Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat) is set to receive two new world-class LNG vessels within this year, announced Bader Al Mulla, LNG Joint Ventures Manager at Nakilat, at an event, yesterday.
Al Mulla was speaking at ‘Qatar Maritime & Logistics Summit''. Given the rising demand of LNG in the world, the need for LNG vessels is also growing fast, and Nakilat, which is the global leader in energy transportation, with the world''s largest LNG carrier fleet in operation, has four ships under construction in South Korea, and two of them are slated to join the fleet in 2020, he said.
''Currently we have four ships under construction in Korea, and two of them will be delivered within this year. The propulsion system which has been selected for these ships is contemporary fully equipped with cutting-edge technology, which will help reduce the emissions significantly, said Al Mulla.
He added: ''With the delivery of these two upcoming ships Nakilat''s fleet size will increase to 76 carriers, including the four LPG tankers and one FSRU (Floating Storage Regasification Unit).
Participating in a panel discussion on ‘Sustainability in LNG shipping: Integrated maritime and logistics capabilities to fulfil sustainability needs'', Al Mulla provided an overview on Nakilat''s extensive business portfolio which includes a wide range of maritime services such as ship repair, shipbuilding, towage and shipping agency support and other services.
Other speakers in the panel included Chris Palsson, Head of Consulting and Managing Director of Maritime Insight, Lloyd''s List Intelligence; Sergey Trasov, Solutions Manager, Wartsila Voyage and others. The panel was moderated by Richard Calyton, Chief Correspondent, Lloyd''s List.
Nakilat, through its huge fleet of carriers, provides critical transportation link to the LNG supply chain in Qatar.
During his presentation Al Mulla highlighted the importance of sustainability in LNG shipping, with special focus on achieving sustainability requirements.
He also provided a brief insight on global LNG shipping market outlook and greener demand in LNG shipping.
Citing IEA data, Al Mulla said the global LNG production capacity will increase from 364 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) in 2019 to 436 mtpa by 2023, with an annual production growth of 5 percent.
He noted that a signification share of the increased output will come from the US, Yemen and Qatar. The increased output will require additional number of efficient and environment-friendly LNG vessels to transport gas.
The total number of LNG vessels worldwide currently stands at 600 units (500 on service and 100 on order), and Nakilat accounts for nearly 12 percent of the global market share. The number of LNG vessels worldwide is expected to increase to nearly 650 by the end of 2021. In addition, there are some 40 FSRUs (Floating Storage Regasification Units) in operation different parts of the world, which are also used to store and supply LNG.
Commenting on transforming the Nakilat''s diesel-powered carriers into gas, he said: ''We have evaluated the options of retrofitting all the slow speed diesel engines into a ME-GI engine system which will enable the engine to use LNG as marine fuel.
''Jointly with our stakeholders and shareholders we have agreed and concluded that using the compliant fuel is the most viable option from technical and commercial perspectives. All of our ships (more than 70) has started working on the transition plan for the replacement of traditional fuel to ‘compliant fuel'' three months in advance, and we have completed the replacement well in advance from the deadline. ..As part of our efforts to reduce green house gas emissions, we have already retrofitted one of the largest LNG ships into ME-GI engine.
Speaking further on the Water Ballast retrofitting system, he said that the rule has been enforced since September 2017 and Nakilat proactively implementing it. The Company has already started retrofitting one-third of its fleet, and by 2023 it will have all its ships retrofitted with the new Water Ballast system meeting the IMO criteria and the US Coast Guard requirements as well.
He also highlighted the achievements made by Nakilat, specially focusing on the LNG carrier Rasheeda. The Qatari gas transporter has retrofitted the 266,000 cbm LNG carrier (Rasheeda) with a gas-burning M-Type Electronically Controlled Gas Injection (ME-GI) System, making it the world''s first vessel in which low-speed marine diesel engines were converted to use LNG as a fuel.
Nakilat''s Rasheeda, built in 2010, has two MAN B & W S70ME-C HFO-burning engines, which have been converted to the dual-fuel ME-GI concept.
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