Nakilat, Shell Start 2nd Fleet Management Handover Phase
Qatari shipping firm Nakilat has started the second phase of its fleet management transition from Shell International Trading and Shipping, with Q-Max LNG carrier Al Mayeda being the first vessel transitioned as part of several vessels phased management transition agreement, it said on May 16.
The technical management of Al Mayeda will be undertaken by Nakilat’s in-house ship management arm, Nakilat Shipping Qatar (NSQL). Upon completion of the second phase vessel transition from Shell, NSQL’s managed fleet will comprise of 25 vessels (21 LNG and 4 LNG carriers). In 2017, Nakilat successfully transitioned 10 vessels to in-house management.
“This will see us expanding our ship management capabilities and become a strong, fully-fledged shipping and maritime company. The management of our vessels centrally from Qatar will allow Nakilat to capitalise on existing synergies with our main charterer, realise operational efficiencies and optimise costs,” Nakilat CEO Abdullah Fadhalah Al Sulaiti said.
Wholly-owned by Nakilat and chartered by Qatargas, Al Mayeda is a Q-Max LNG carrier with a cargo carrying capacity of 266,000 m3. The vessel has completed 88 voyages since it was delivered in February 2009, the company said.