New Japanese LNG carrier for Qatar gas

A consortium comprising Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK), Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (“K” Line) and Mitsui & Co (Mitsui) has signed a 25 year long-term charter agreement for a new 145,000 m3 LNG carrier to transport gas for Ras Laffan Liquefied Natural Gas Co. Ltd II (RasGas II).

The consortium signed a shipbuilding contract with Samsung Heavy Industries for the construction of the vessel which will feature a membrane cargo containment system and is scheduled for delivery in January 2007. NYK will be appointed as the shipmanager and the vessel will be employed in the exportation of LNG from Ras Laffan, Qatar to Europe.

The announcement follows four earlier agreements for LNG carriers signed in October 2002, January 2003 and October 2003, bringing to five the total number of LNG carriers now transporting LNG for RasGas II.

RasGas II, a company 70% owned by Qatar Petroleum and 30% by ExxonMobil, was established to expand LNG facilities to a production capability of 15.0 million tons of LNG annually, for export mainly to Indian and European markets.