Qatar’s Nakilat, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas shipper, has taken control of another LNG carrier from STASCo.

In its statement, Nakilat noted it assumed full ship management and operations of Q-Flex LNG carrier Al Kharaitiyat from Shell Trading and Shipping Company Limited (STASCo).

The management takeover comes into effect from today, May 27, 2020, as part of the second phase of its planned fleet management transition programme.

With a cargo-carrying capacity of 216,300 cubic meters, Al Kharaitiyat is wholly-owned by Nakilat and chartered by Qatargas.

The vessel was built in South Korea by Hyundai Heavy Industries, delivered in June 2009 and has been in service ever since.

Al Kharaitiyat is the second vessel that will come under the management of Nakilat Shipping Qatar (NSQL) this year as part of this second phase transition, bringing the total number of vessels managed by NSQL to 20, comprising of 16 LNG and 4 LPG carriers.