Nakilat subsidiary Nakilat Shipping Qatar (NSQL) has completed the first phase of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier management transition programme with Shell International Trading and Shipping Company.

The completion of the transition initiative's first phase was marked by NSQL taking over management of the Q-Max LNG carrier Al Mafyar from Shell.

The 266,370m³ vessel is the 10th carrier to undergo a change in management in the last ten months under the programme.

Al Mayfar was manufactured by Samsung Heavy Industries in South Korea and is currently placed on charter with Qatargas.

Nakilat managing director Abdullah Sulaiti said: “The rapid expansion of our ship management activities within a short time-span has not only contributed towards the growth of the company, but is also an indication of our commitment to be a global leader and provider of choice for energy transportation and maritime services, in line with Qatar’s National Vision 2030.”

The latest development has increased the size of NSQL's fleet to 18 vessels, including 14 LNG and four liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers.

It was carried out as part of an agreement originally signed between NSQL and Shell in December, which outlined plans for the phased management transition of Nakilat’s LNG fleet from Shell to NSQL.

Shell will continue to manage 15 LNG vessels on behalf of Nakilat until the completion of the pending transition phases.

Image: LNG carrier Al Mafyar. Photo: courtesy of Qatar Gas Transportation Company Ltd (Nakilat).