Q-Flex

Q-Flex is a type of ship, specifically a membrane type liquefied natural gas carrier.

Class overview
Name: Q-Flex
Builders: Hyundai Heavy Industries, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Company, Samsung Heavy Industries
Operators: Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat)
Built: 2007 – present
In service: 16
Planned: 31
Cancelled: -
Active: 16
Lost: -
Retired: -
Preserved: -
General characteristics
Type: LNG carrier
Capacity: 165,000 m3 – 216,000 m3

Technical description

Q-Flex vessels are propelled by two slow speed diesel engines, which are claimed to be more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional steam turbines.[1][2] Q-Flex carriers are equipped with an on-board re-liquefaction system to handle the boil-off gas, liquefy it and return the LNG to the cargo tanks.[3] The on-board re-liquefaction system reduces LNG losses, which produces economic and environmental benefits. Overall, it is estimated that Q-Flex carriers have about 40% lower energy requirements and carbon emissions than conventional LNG carriers.[4]

The capacity of a Q-Flex vessel is between 165,000 m3 and 216,000 m3.[5] Until the entry into service of the Q-Max-type carrier, it was the world's largest LNG carrier type with a capacity of 1.5 times that of conventional LNG carriers.[6][7]

Contractors

The first Q-Flex LNG carrier was delivered by Hyundai Heavy Industries in late 2007. The installed re-liquefaction system is developed and delivered by Hamworthy and approved and certified by DNV.[3] Q-Flex LNG carriers are built also by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Company and Samsung Heavy Industries.[8]

Ships

As of August 2008 there are 16 named Q-Flex LNG carrier: Al Hamla, Al Gharrafa, Duhail, Al Ghariya, Al Aamriya, Murwab, Fraiha, Al Huwaila, Al Kharsaah, Al Shamal, Al Khuwair, Al Oraiq, Umm Al Amad, Al Thumama, Al Sahla and Al Utouriya.[5][9][10] All these vessels are owned by holding companies established by the Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat) and different shipping companies such as Overseas Shipholding Group, Pronav and Commerz Real, and they are chartered to Qatar's LNG producers Qatargas and RasGas. In total, contracts have been signed for the construction of 31 Q-Flex vessels.[5]

References
  1. "First Qatargas Q-Flex Reaches US". Downstream Today. 2008-06-25. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  2. "Qatargas' Q-Flex arrives in the United States". AME Info. 2008-06-24. Archived from the original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  3. Per Wiggo Richardsen (2006-12-04). "First reliquefaction plant installed on board an LNG carrier". DNV UK. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  4. "First LNG 'Mega-ship' Floats Out of Dry-dock". Downstream Today. 2007-11-19. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  5. "Four Q-Flex LNG carriers to be named this week". The Peninsula. 2007-11-14. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  6. "Largest LNG vessel arrives in Spain". AME Info. 2008-04-08. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  7. Angela Macdonald-Smith (2008-03-13). "First of World's Largest LNG Tankers to Be Delivered by Summer". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  8. Pratap John (2008-02-24). "South Korea building 54 ships for Qatar". Gulf Times. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  9. "RasGas set to receive largest LNG carrier to boost its fleet". Gulf Times. 2008-03-17. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  10. "RasGas, Nakilat name 5 Q-Flex carriers". Gulf Times. 2008-04-08. Retrieved 2008-08-02.

[1]

  1. "QATARGAS". QATARGAS. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
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