Nakilat has initiated the second phase of its fleet management transition from Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited, with Q-Max liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Al Mayeda being the first vessel transitioned as part of several vessels phased management transition agreement, according to a press release. 

The technical management of Al Mayeda will be undertaken by Nakilat Shipping Qatar Limited (NSQL). Upon completion of the second phase vessel transition from Shell, NSQL’s managed fleet will comprise 25 vessels (21 LNG and 4 LNG carriers). 

Al Mayeda is a Q-Max LNG carrier with a cargo carrying capacity of 266,000 cubic meters.

Abdullah Fadhalah Al Sulaiti, Nakilat Chief Executive Officer Engineer, said, “Despite the current challenges the world is facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nakilat has followed through with its growth strategy and commenced the second phase of its fleet management transition. 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 capitalize on existing synergies with our main charterer, realize operational efficiencies and optimize costs.”

In 2017, Nakilat successfully transitioned 10 vessels to in-house management.