The design and construction of Q-Flex and Q-Max were technological landmark events for the LNG shipping industry. The development of these vessels resulted in significantly larger LNG vessels and introduced new and innovative industry sector concepts such as:
“Membrane" type cargo containment system.
Slow speed diesel engines which are more thermally efficient than steam turbines and burn less fuel, thereby producing 30% lower overall emissions compared to traditional existing LNG carriers.
Twin engines and shafts to ensure maximum propulsion safety and reliability, with reduced environmental footprint and twin rudders to ensure safety of navigation and manoeuvrability in confined waters.
Fire-fighting specifications that utilise combinations of Hi-Expansion foam, Hi-fog water systems and safer and environmentally cleaner fire extinguishing agents that eliminate the need for CO2 – a first for LNG vessels.
Cargo re-liquefaction plants that return cargo boil off gas to the cargo tanks as a liquid and therefore ensure quality and maximise the cargo delivery to the customer.
The power generation plant has also been enhanced to provide sufficient reserve and thus ensure integrity of supply under all operating circumstances.
Underwater coatings using the latest technology silicone based anti-fouling systems, which not only enhance the speed and performance of the vessel, but are also “friendly" to the marine environment as they do not release biocides into the sea to prevent marine growth on the hull.
Through economies of scale, Q-Max and Q-Flex vessels provide lower transportation costs. Traditionally LNG ship sizes grew incrementally in small steps. However, groundbreaking studies on in-tank sloshing loads enabled individual tank capacity to increase by up to 50%. This technology development facilitated the increase of the maximum vessel cargo capacity from the typical conventional size of 150,000 cubic metres to 266, 000 cubic metres on the Q-Max.
One full cargo of a Q-Max can provide enough energy to heat 26 million UK homes (approximately 41% of total population) for one entire day. The South Hook LNG Terminal in Milford Haven in Wales has a throughput capacity of 15.6 MTPA and was constructed to accommodate the delivery of LNG from QatarEnergy LNG N(2). This is a joint venture between QatarEnergy, ExxonMobil and TotalEnergies. The largest in Europe, the terminal is now a major import and regasification hub supplying gas to the UK market.
CONVENTIONAL VESSELS
QatarEnergy LNG has a fleet of 25 purpose-built conventional vessels, each with a capacity of between 135,000 and 152,000 cubic meters currently on long-term charter for the transportation of LNG from Qatar to customers in the Far-East, Indian sub-continent, Europe, and Mediterranean.
Q-FLEX AND Q-MAX VESSELS
QatarEnergy LNG has a fleet of 31 Q-Flex and 14 Q-Max on long-term charter. Being the world's largest cargo carrying capacity LNG vessels, the Q-Flex and Q-Max are each capable of transporting 210,000 cubic metres and 266,000 cubic metres of LNG respectively. These vessels supply Far Eastern, European and various other markets.