Overseas Shipholding Group, Inc. has named the LNG Carrier Al Gattara, marking a new generation of Q-Flex Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carriers, said to be the world’s safest, most advanced and largest ships to transport this critical energy source. This vessel is the first in a series of four sister ships to be delivered to OSG Nakilat, the joint venture between OSG and
Qatargas Transport Company (Nakilat).
The ship’s sponsor, Mrs. Cathy Houston, wife of Dennis Houston, Executive Vice President, ExxonMobil Refining and Supply Company, will officially name the Al Gattara in a ceremony today at the Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard. The second ship in the new fleet, the Tembek, constructed by Samsung Heavy Industries in Geoje Island, South Korea, will be named on Tuesday, September 11. Mrs. Naomi Campbell, spouse of Mr. Angus Campbell, Head of OSG’s Gas Strategic Business Unit, will be the ship’s sponsor.
OSG Nakilat’s fleet of LNG carriers can each transport 216,000 cubic meters of LNG, approximately 40 percent more than the standard LNG vessels in service today. In addition, this new generation of LNG vessels has significantly lower energy requirements than
conventional LNG vessels due to economies of scale created by their size and the efficiency of the engines. OSG’s Q-Flex LNG ships employ some of the most advanced technology currently available, including a first-of-its-kind on-board reliquefaction plant, which cools boil-off gas and converts it back to liquid for return to the tanks. Safety features include redundant systems such as dual propellers and rudders and environmentally friendly, low-emission electronically controlled diesel engines.