Nakilat sparks steel at Samho for six new gas carriers
In Korea, Rivera Maritime News reports Qatar’s Nakilat began steel cutting for six gas carriers at HD Hyundai Samho shipyard in South Korea, part of its $11.9 billion fleet expansion, with delivery scheduled for 2026–2027.
The order includes two 174,000-m³ LNG carriers and four 88,000-m³ LPG/ammonia carriers, as the Qatari company moves to meet rising global energy shipping demand. Nakilat currently operates one of the world’s largest LNG fleets, totaling 69 LNG carriers, four VLGCs, and one floating storage regasification unit. Its orderbook now stands at 30 vessels, including 17 LNG carriers and nine QMax LNG vessels.
The newbuilds will be fitted with fuel-efficient propulsion systems and emissions-reduction technologies. Nakilat has emphasized environmental performance as a key part of its long-term strategy.
The steel-cutting ceremony was attended by executives from Nakilat and HD Hyundai Samho, part of South Korea’s HD Hyundai Group, which recently delivered its 47th large LNG carrier earlier this year.
The project supports Nakilat’s efforts to boost capacity amid shifting energy trade routes and Qatar’s role as a leading LNG exporter.
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