Nakilat begins takeover of LNG carrier management from Shell

Nakilat has announced the “management takeover” of Q-Max LNG carrier ‘Mozah’ from Shell International Trading and Shipping Company (STASCO). This is the first vessel to be transitioned as part of the phased management transition. Mozah will also be the first Q-Max LNG carrier to be managed in-house by NSQL, which is currently managing some four Q-Flex LNG and four large LPG carriers.To mark the occasion, a video conference was held between HE the Minister of Energy and Industry, and Nakilat chairman Dr Mohamed bin Saleh al-Sada and the personnel onboard Mozah, to welcome them to Nakilat and discuss the importance of this transition to Nakilat and Qatar. Nakilat managing director Abdullah Fadhalah al-Sulaiti said, “This management takeover of Mozah today will mark the beginning of another chapter for Nakilat’s operations as we expand our role as a ship manager and move towards consolidating the operations for our wholly-owned vessels in-house. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all those involved in today’s successful transition, which is the fruition of hard work, careful preparations and perseverance at propelling Nakilat to greater heights.”Al-Sulaiti added, “The management of our vessels centrally from Qatar will allow Nakilat to strategically capitalise on the existing skill base, expertise and synergy with our charterers and realise operational efficiencies in addition to optimising costs. We remain steadfastly committed towards ensuring the highest standards of safety and quality across our fleet as we strive to be a global leader and provider of choice for energy transportation and maritime services.”  Mozah, a Q-Max vessel wholly-owned by Nakilat and chartered by Qatargas, is the world’s largest LNG carrier in operation with a cargo carrying capacity of 266,000 cu m. It has completed some 55 voyages, covering almost 700,000 nautical miles, since it was delivered in July 2008.