QatarEnergy has sealed a contract with Chinese shipbuilder, CSSC Hudong Zhonghua shipbuilding for the construction of eight Q-Max ultra-large LNG carriers valued at over $2.4 billion and are to be delivered between 2028 and 2029.
According to World Maritime News, the deal follows QatarEnergy’s September 2023 announcement of plans to order 15 Q-Max ultra-large LNG carriers from Chinese and South Korean shipyards. Of these, eight will be constructed by Hudong Zhonghua, with negotiations ongoing for the remaining seven vessels.
The vessels will feature a new design, boasting a 271,000 cbm carrying capacity, making them the world’s largest.
Hudong-Zhonghua (HZ) Shipyard won several approvals for the ground-breaking design back in September last year from major classification societies including ABS, LR, BV, and DNV.
The design integrates a dual-fuel propulsion system, air lubrication, and optimized hull structure, all aimed at reducing the vessel’s overall carbon footprint.
The design incorporates selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology, aimed at curbing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and ensuring compliance with IMO Tier III controls, even in diesel mode. The redesigned LNG tank is characterized by advanced cargo containment mechanisms, including a real-time sloshing monitoring system.
The design includes a hull stress monitoring system and an anti-collision system, setting it apart from traditional LNG carriers.The recent ordering aligns with QatarEnergy’s plans to increase LNG production capacity from 77 million tons to 126 million tons per year after 2027
