Nakilat takes delivery of Global Star
The LNG tanker, Global Star, was recently delivered (Source: Nakilat)
Nakilat, Qatar’s state-owned LNG shipping company, has commissioned the 173,400m3 LNG carrier, Global Star, which is to be commercially and technically managed in-house. The vessel, built at Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, has been delivered to Global Shipping Co. Ltd, a joint venture between Nakilat (60%) and Greece’s Maran Ventures Inc. (40%).
Global Star is the second of four sister vessels being built at the South Korean yard. When the last two ships in the series are delivered, Nakilat’s fleet will total 74 vessels, the world’s largest LNG fleet accounting for almost 12% of global LNG capacity.
“Nakilat welcomes a new addition into our world’s largest LNG fleet, a technologically-advanced newbuild that allows us to provide additional capacity and flexibility to our customers and gives us a greater competitive edge in this dynamic marketplace,” commented the company’s CEO, Eng. Abdullah Al Sulaiti.
“Technically operated and commercially managed in-house, this significant milestone bears testament to the company’s superior ship management capabilities and further affirms our global leadership position in energy transportation,” he continued. “Nakilat has been demonstrating remarkable accomplishments with the completion of fleet management transition for seven LNG carriers and delivery of one newbuild within a year, tactfully executing its strategic long-term growth as part of the efforts to optimise costs hence maximise returns for our shareholders.”
Global Star’s delivery comes as the LNG sector is booming, with a shortage of available ships pushing short-term rates well into six figures. Brokers report that spot rates for vessels in this size range have risen by about 50% in the last few weeks and are now pitched at around USD 200,000 a day with some ships reportedly fixed at even higher rates.
