Chemistry:Q-Flex
| 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 |
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.[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 2022 there are 31 named Q-Flex LNG carriers in service.[9] [10][11][12] All these vessels are owned by holding companies established by the Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat) and different shipping companies such as Pronav, MOL, K-Line, Teekay and NYK and they are chartered to Qatar's LNG producers QatarEnergy LNG.
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References
- ↑ "First Qatargas Q-Flex Reaches US". Downstream Today. 2008-06-25. http://www.downstreamtoday.com/News/Articles/200806/First_Qatargas_Q_Flex_Reaches_US_11548.aspx.
- ↑ "Qatargas' Q-Flex arrives in the United States". AME Info. 2008-06-24. http://www.ameinfo.com/161397.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Per Wiggo Richardsen (2006-12-04). "First reliquefaction plant installed on board an LNG carrier". DNV UK. http://www.dnv.co.uk/press/FirstreliquefactionplantinstalledonboardanLNGcarrier.asp.
- ↑ "First LNG 'Mega-ship' Floats Out of Dry-dock". Downstream Today. 2007-11-19. http://www.downstreamtoday.com/News/Articles/200711/First_LNG_Mega_ship_Floats_Out_of_Dry__7196.aspx.
- ↑ "Four Q-Flex LNG carriers to be named this week". The Peninsula. 2007-11-14. http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Business_News&subsection=Local+Business&month=November2007&file=Business_News2007111401710.xml.
- ↑ "Largest LNG vessel arrives in Spain". AME Info. 2008-04-08. http://www.ameinfo.com/152696.html.
- ↑ Angela Macdonald-Smith (2008-03-13). "First of World's Largest LNG Tankers to Be Delivered by Summer". Bloomberg. https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?sid=atfXujtneXO8&pid=20601082.
- ↑ Pratap John (2008-02-24). "South Korea building 54 ships for Qatar". Gulf Times. http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=203504&version=1&template_id=57&parent_id=56.
- ↑ "Fleet". 17 December 2017. https://www.nakilat.com/fleet-list-q-flex/.
- ↑ "Four Q-Flex LNG carriers to be named this week". The Peninsula. 2007-11-14. http://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/Display_news.asp?section=Business_News&subsection=Local+Business&month=November2007&file=Business_News2007111401710.xml.
- ↑ "RasGas set to receive largest LNG carrier to boost its fleet". Gulf Times. 2008-03-17. http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=207684&version=1&template_id=48&parent_id=28.
- ↑ "RasGas, Nakilat name 5 Q-Flex carriers". Gulf Times. 2008-04-08. http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=211749&version=1&template_id=48&parent_id=28.
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