Regional LNG: Qatar Gas seeks to tie up deals for 57 LNG carriers

Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Ltd, Qatar's first and major liquefied natural gas (LNG) company, is looking for a consortium of shipbuilders to build 57 LNG carriers in the coming years, according to company sources quoted by Gulf News.

Qatar Gas wants to tie up exclusive deals either with one shipyard or a consortium of yards for their massive LNG-shipping requirement, which according to analysts would be the biggest ship-acquisition project ever.

Industry sources said, Korean yards are far more likely to go it alone, but could end up having a consortium with the Japanese shipbuilders.

"We want to send a clear message to the market that we are keen on making long-term alliances with yards," Qatar Gas manager for commercial and shipping, Ali Al Hammadi was quoted by Tradewinds as saying.

Al Hammadi said, his company would require 57 LNG carriers, including 33 large capacity vessels for exports to the US, a further 16 ships for cargoes to the UK and eight conventional-size ships to lift products from RasGas train 5 production line.(*)