Q-Max
Class overview | |
---|---|
Name | Q-Max |
Builders |
|
Built | c. 2007–2010 |
In service | |
Planned | 14 |
Completed | 14 |
Cancelled | - |
Active | 14 |
Lost | - |
Retired | - |
Preserved | - |
General characteristics | |
Type | LNG carrier |
Length | 345 m (1,132 ft) |
Beam | 53.8 m (177 ft) |
Height | 34.7 m (114 ft) |
Draft | 12 m (39 ft) |
Installed power | 21,770 kW at 91 rpm, per engine[9] |
Propulsion | 2 × |
Speed | 19 kt |
Capacity | 266,000 m3 (9,400,000 cu ft) |
Q-Max is a type of ship, specifically a membrane type LNG carrier. In the name Q-Max, "Q" stands for Qatar and "Max" for the maximum size of ship able to dock at the Liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in Qatar. Ships of this type are the largest LNG carriers in the world.[1][10]
Technical description
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/Ship_measurements_comparison.svg/220px-Ship_measurements_comparison.svg.png)
A ship of Q-Max size is 345 metres (1,132 ft) long and measures 53.8 metres (177 ft) wide and 34.7 metres (114 ft) high, with a draft of approximately 12 metres (39 ft).[10][11]
It has an LNG capacity of 266,000 cubic metres (9,400,000 cu ft), equal to 161,994,000 cubic metres (5.7208×109 cu ft) of natural gas. It is propelled by two slow speed diesel engines burning HFO, which are claimed to be more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional steam turbines.[12] In case of engine failure, the failed engine can be de-coupled allowing the ship to maintain a speed of 14 knots.[13]
LNG is stored at around -162°C.[14] Q-Max vessels are equipped with an on-board re-liquefaction system to handle the boil-off gas, liquefy it and return the LNG to the cargo tanks.[15] The on-board re-liquefaction system allows a reduction of LNG losses, which produces economic and environmental benefits.
Overall, it is estimated that Q-Max carriers have about 40% lower energy requirements and
Contractors
The Q-Max LNG carriers were ordered in 2005.
Ships
The first Q-Max LNG carrier was floated out of dry-dock in November 2007.
4 Q-Max LNG carriers are operated by the STASCo (Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Ltd, London part of
Fourteen sister vessels are in service named: Mozah, Al Mayeda, Mekaines, Al Mafyar, Umm Slal, Bu Samra, Al Ghuwairiya, Lijmiliya, Al Samriya, Al Dafna, Shagra, Zarga, Aamira, and Rasheeda.[24][25] All 14 Q-Max ships were delivered in 2008 through 2010.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e "Qatargas, Nakilat Name World's Largest LNG Vessel". Lloyd's Register. Downstream Today. 2008-07-11. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
- ^ "Nakilat gets Q-Max LNG carrier from Samsung Heavy". yourshipbuildingnews.com. 2009-02-20. Archived from the original on 2018-12-05. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
- ^ a b "Nakilat and Qatargas name ten of the world's largest LNG carriers". ameinfo.com. 2009-02-09. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
- ^ a b "Naqilat Takes Delivery Of Two More Q-Max LNG Carriers". Zawya. 2008-10-06. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
- ^ "Qatargas And Nakilat Name Five Q-Max LNG Carriers". Business Life. 2008-08-26. Archived from the original on 2012-04-26. Retrieved 2012-01-02.
- ^ "Lijmiliya". South Hook LNG Ship Noise Community Group. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2011-07-30.
- ^ Phillipson, Saul (4 May 2022). "A Career at Sea: How I Became a Naval Officer". Yipiyap. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
- ^ "Nakilat, Qatargas Name Final 4 LNG Q-Max Carriers". Gulf Oil and Gas. 2009-09-11. Retrieved 2012-01-02.
- ^ a b "MAN B&W power for Q-max LNG ships". allbusiness.com. 2006-05-01. Retrieved 2009-05-07.
- ^ a b c d Cho Jae-eun (2008-07-09). "Korea launches new tankers. Qatar-bound Mozah is the biggest LNG carrier ever built". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
- ^ Curt, Bob (2004-03-29). Marine Transportation of LNG (PDF). Intertanko Conference. Maritime Administration. Retrieved 2011-07-30.
- ^ "Qatargas' Q-Flex arrives in the United States". AME Info. 2008-06-24. Archived from the original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
- ^ H.-C. Jung (April 2010). "Vesselreport: Q-max class LNG carrier". Retrieved 6 April 2019.
- ^ Phillipson, Saul (4 May 2022). "A Career at Sea: How I Became a Naval Officer". Yipiyap. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
- ^ Richardsen, Per Wiggo (2006-12-04). "First reliquefaction plant installed on board an LNG carrier". DNV UK. Archived from the original on 2013-01-22. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
- ^ a b Pratap John (2008-02-24). "South Korea building 54 ships for Qatar". Gulf Times. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
- ^ a b "First LNG 'Mega-ship' Floats Out of Dry-dock". Downstream Today. 2007-11-19. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
- ^ "Nakilat retrofits QMax's main engines to LNG fueling". Marine Log. 28 October 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2019.
- ^ "EcoRel, how it works" (PDF). The Cryostar Magazine (10). Cryostar. Autumn 2007. Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ a b "Qatar makes history with largest LNG ship". Gulf Times. 2008-07-12. Archived from the original on 2008-07-15. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
- ^
"LNG carrier "Mozah" delivered to Qatargas and Nakilat" (Press release). Qatargas. 2008-09-29. Archived from the originalon 2015-07-13. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
- ^ "Bilbao received the first LNG cargo carried by a Q-Max, the largest gas carrier in the world" (Press release). STREAM. 2009-01-14. Retrieved 2009-08-13.
- ^ "Four Q-Flex LNG carriers to be named this week". The Peninsula. 2007-11-14. Archived from the original on 2012-04-23. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
- ^ Supertanker GAS-Carrier Shagra
- ^ NAKILAT, Our World-Class Fleet List (see Q-Max)