As part of its LNG expansion plans, Qatar has issued tenders for joint venture partners to participate in ownership with Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat) in another eight LNG ships which will be worth a total of around $2bn, MEES understands. Qatar’s ship chartering team, which includes representatives from RasGas and Qatargas operations, has sent invitations to ship owners, and bids are due to be submitted in September. Evaluation and announcement of the winning bidders is expected in October. The ships are to be chartered to Qatargas-2 (Train 5). The slots for the eight ships have already been booked at South Korean shipyards. Every Qatari ship is being constructed at such yards – Hyundai, Samsung or Daewoo. In addition to the new tender for the eight LNG ships, Qatar has 28 LNG vessels either under construction or set for construction shortly.
In its last few tenders, Qatar brought new companies into the exclusive club of LNG ship owners. Newcomers included Canada’s Teekay (TK), Overseas Shipping Group (OSG), and Greece’s Maran Gas Maritime (Marangas). Whether Qatar’s latest tender could bring in yet more new firms. Nakilat was established to hold shares in Qatar’s LNG vessels. The 28 include three in partnership with TK, four with Germany’s Pronav, four with OSG, and four with Marangas. There is also one on order in partnership with Japanese consortium J4 which includes MOL, NYK, Mitsui and K-line. The Pronav and OSG ships were commissioned by Qatargas-2, and the J4, TK and Marangas vessels were by RasGas-2. RasGas-3 vessels include eight in partnership with Japanese consortium J5 (which includes Iino Line in addition to the J4 members) and four vessels in another TK partnership.
