Q-Flex

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

Class overview
NameQ-Flex
BuildersHyundai Heavy Industries, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Company, Samsung Heavy Industries
OperatorsQatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat)
Built2007 – present
In service16
Planned31
Cancelled-
Active16
Lost-
Retired-
Preserved-
General characteristics
TypeLNG carrier
Capacity165,000 m3 – 216,000 m3

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 Qatargas.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to LNG carriers.

References
  1. "First Qatargas Q-Flex Reaches US". Downstream Today. 2008-06-25. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  2. "Qatargas' Q-Flex arrives in the United States". AME Info. 2008-06-24. Archived from the original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  3. Per Wiggo Richardsen (2006-12-04). "First reliquefaction plant installed on board an LNG carrier". DNV UK. Archived from the original on 2008-12-01. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  4. "First LNG 'Mega-ship' Floats Out of Dry-dock". Downstream Today. 2007-11-19. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  5. "Four Q-Flex LNG carriers to be named this week". The Peninsula. 2007-11-14. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  6. "Largest LNG vessel arrives in Spain". AME Info. 2008-04-08. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  7. Angela Macdonald-Smith (2008-03-13). "First of World's Largest LNG Tankers to Be Delivered by Summer". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  8. Pratap John (2008-02-24). "South Korea building 54 ships for Qatar". Gulf Times. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  9. "Fleet". 17 December 2017.
  10. "Four Q-Flex LNG carriers to be named this week". The Peninsula. 2007-11-14. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  11. "RasGas set to receive largest LNG carrier to boost its fleet". Gulf Times. 2008-03-17. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
  12. "RasGas, Nakilat name 5 Q-Flex carriers". Gulf Times. 2008-04-08. Retrieved 2008-08-02.

[1]

  1. "QATARGAS". QATARGAS. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
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