Nakilat Boosts Qatari Marine Business at LNG 17

Doha, April 17 (QNA) - Nakilat, Qatars premier gas transporter, and its ship repair and construction joint ventures are reinforcing their international business relationships and opportunities at the worlds largest gas event, LNG 17, which is being held this week in the US. Nakilats strong reputation and well-established links with ship owners and their partners from around the world are allowing the company to hold valuable business meetings with gas industry professionals visiting LNG 17, which is taking place in Houston from 16th-19th April. Further to recently announced international synergies, Nakilat is actively pursuing opportunities for future growth in collaboration with overseas companies, both for its shipping business and for its ship repair and construction joint ventures, Nakilat-Keppel Offshore & Marine (N-KOM) and Nakilat Damen Shipyards Qatar (NDSQ), at Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard. Ship repairer N-KOM is at LNG 17 promoting its world-class dry dock and ship repair facilities to companies from around the globe, with emphasis on its strong LNG track-record and its specialized LNG capabilities. N-KOM has completed dry docking and repairs on 54 LNG carriers and over 20 LNG repair projects are planned for 2013. Notable N-KOM LNG achievements to date include the first dual fuel diesel electric (DFDE)-engine LNG carrier to be repaired in Qatar, which was delivered ahead of schedule, and the simultaneous dry docking and repairs of seven LNG carriers. Ship builder NDSQ is presenting its construction capabilities and recent achievements at LNG 17. Projects relevant to the LNG industry and port logistics include the completed 140m load-out and recovery barge Al Ghatroushah, the biggest vessel ever to have been built in Qatar, and the 19-vessel order currently under construction for the Port of Mesaieed, from which six mooring vessels have already been completed. S peaking from the Nakilat section of the Qatar Petroleum stand at LNG 17, Muhammad Ghannam, Managing Director of Nakilat, said: "LNG 17 is an excellent opportunity for Nakilat to reinforce its connections with its international partners and to hold valuable business discussions in pursuit of new opportunities for our companies. Nakilat and its joint ventures are promoting the success of Qatars marine industry and offering solid support to Qatars gas industry strength and its presence at LNG 17." Nakilat is a Qatari marine company providing the critical transportation link in Qatars LNG supply chain. Its LNG shipping fleet is the largest in the world, comprising 54 LNG vessels. Nakilat also manages and operates four LPG carriers. Via two strategic joint ventures, N-KOM and NDSQ, Nakilat operates the ship repair and construction facilities at Qatars Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard in the Port of Ras Laffan. (QNA)