Q-Flex

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

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.cite news
publisher=Downstream Today
url= http://www.downstreamtoday.com/News/Articles/200806/First_Qatargas_Q_Flex_Reaches_US_11548.aspx
title= First Qatargas Q-Flex Reaches US
date=2008-06-25
accessdate=2008-08-02] cite news
publisher=AME Info
url= http://www.ameinfo.com/161397.html
title= Qatargas' Q-Flex arrives in the United States
date=2008-06-24
accessdate=2008-08-02] 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.cite news
publisher=DNV UK
url= http://www.dnv.co.uk/press/FirstreliquefactionplantinstalledonboardanLNGcarrier.asp
title= First reliquefaction plant installed on board an LNG carrier
author = Per Wiggo Richardsen
date=2006-12-04
accessdate=2008-08-02] 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.cite news
publisher=Downstream Today
url= http://www.downstreamtoday.com/News/Articles/200711/First_LNG_Mega_ship_Floats_Out_of_Dry__7196.aspx
title= First LNG 'Mega-ship' Floats Out of Dry-dock
date=2007-11-19
accessdate=2008-08-02]

The capacity of a Q-Flex vessel is between 210,000 m³ and 216,000 m³. Until the entry into service of the Q-Max-type carrier, it is the world largest LNG carrier type with a capacity about 1.5 times that of conventional LNG carriers.cite news
publisher=AME Info
url= http://www.ameinfo.com/152696.html
title= Largest LNG vessel arrives in Spain
date=2008-04-08
accessdate=2008-08-02] cite news
publisher=Bloomberg
url= http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?sid=atfXujtneXO8&pid=20601082
title= First of World's Largest LNG Tankers to Be Delivered by Summer
author = Angela Macdonald-Smith
date=2008-03-13
accessdate=2008-08-02]

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. Q-Flex LNG carriers are built also by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Company and Samsung Heavy Industries.cite news
publisher=Gulf Times
url= http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=203504&version=1&template_id=57&parent_id=56
title= South Korea building 54 ships for Qatar
author = Pratap John
date=2008-02-24
accessdate=2008-08-02]

hips

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".cite news
publisher=The Peninsula
url= http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Business_News&subsection=Local+Business&month=November2007&file=Business_News2007111401710.xml
title= Four Q-Flex LNG carriers to be named this week
date=2007-11-14
accessdate=2008-08-02] cite news
publisher=Gulf Times
url= http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=207684&version=1&template_id=48&parent_id=28
title= RasGas set to receive largest LNG carrier to boost its fleet
date=2008-03-17
accessdate=2008-08-02] cite news
publisher=Gulf Times
url= http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=211749&version=1&template_id=48&parent_id=28
title= RasGas, Nakilat name 5 Q-Flex carriers
date=2008-04-08
accessdate=2008-08-02] 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.

References