
Nakilat celebrates steel cutting of 17 new LNG carriers at Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries shipyard
Ulsan, South Korea – Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat), a global leader in LNG shipping and maritime transportation, celebrated a significant milestone with the steel cutting ceremony marking the commencement of construction of 17 LNG vessels at Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) Shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea. The vessels are part of QatarEnergy's historic LNG fleet expansion project, which caters for future LNG fleet requirements for its LNG expansion projects, as well as the replacement requirements of some of its existing fleet.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials from Nakilat, Hyundai Heavy Industries, along with key stakeholders from the maritime sector, who witnessed the official commencement construction of the advanced vessels. Owned by Nakilat, and built with a capacity of 174,000 cubic meters, the new vessels will be chartered to QatarEnergy affiliates under long-term agreements.
On this occasion, Mr. Abdullah Al-Sulaiti, Chief Executive Officer of Nakilat, commented:
"This is another pivotal milestone in Nakilat's journey towards achieving our long-term growth strategy as we continue to modernize and expand our fleet. Our collaboration with QatarEnergy and Hyundai Heavy Industries reflects our continued commitment in support of Qatar's vision in LNG shipping through a world-class fleet and new benchmarks in efficiency, safety, and environmental performance and sustainability. Nakilat remains committed to boosting its position as leader in the global LNG shipping industry."
In February 2024, Qatar Gas Transport Company 'Nakilat' signed agreements with QatarEnergy to lease and operate 25 conventional size state-of-the-art LNG vessels. This move further strengthens Nakilat's position as a global leader in LNG shipping, with the vessels being constructed at South Korean shipyards.
The new carriers feature advanced designs and innovative technologies, reflecting Nakilat's commitment to applying the highest standards of safety and operational excellence, while also promoting greater environmental sustainability. This achievement marks a pivotal step in enhancing the company's capacity to meet the growing demand for LNG transportation and further solidifying its leading position in the industry.
ABOUT NAKILAT
Nakilat is a Qatari Public Shareholding Company which is originally listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange in 2005. As a shipping and maritime company, Nakilat provides an essential transportation link in the State of Qatar's LNG supply chain. Its LNG shipping fleet is one of the largest in the world, comprising of 69 LNG vessels. Nakilat also owns and manages one FSRU and four large LPG carriers. Nakilat operates the ship repair, industrial and offshore fabrication facilities at Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard in Ras Laffan Industrial City via strategic joint ventures: Qatar Shipyard Technology Solutions and QFAB. Nakilat also offers a full range of marine support services to vessels operating in Qatari waters.
For more information, visit: www.nakilat.com
For media inquiries, please contact:
Mr. Shammi Mohan, Head of Public Relations
smohan@nakilat.com
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The National
15 hours ago
- The National
Syria receives major wave of investments in six months since Assad's fall
Syria has attracted growing international investment and aid commitments in the six months since the fall of the regime of former president Bashar Al Assad, as the country seeks to rebuild its shattered economy. This rapid influx of investment marks a stark contrast to the years of economic decline and isolation that defined the country's post-2011 era. Since Mr Al Assad's departure last December, investors from across the region and beyond have started to take a stake in Syria's post-conflict recovery. Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE were among the first nations to endorse the country's new leadership, with President Ahmad Al Shara invited to visit all three countries a handful of times since he took office in a bid to secure economic support. Major commitments include a $7 billion energy infrastructure deal led by Qatar's UCC Holding, a $6.5 billion aid pledge from international donors and an $800 million port development agreement with Dubai-based DP World. Half a century of recovery Despite the momentum, Syria's reconstruction needs range between $400 billion, according to the World Bank, and $1 trillion, as estimated by Mohammad Al-Shaar, Syria's Minister of Economy and Industry, last month. In February 2025, the UNDP published a report in which it estimated that Syria's economy could take half a century to recover to prewar levels. Before the 2011 uprising, Syria's economy was valued at $67.5 billion, ranking 68th globally and comparable to economies like Paraguay and Slovenia according to the World Bank. By 2023, however, years of conflict and sanctions had reduced the country's gross domestic product by 85 per cent to just $9 billion, placing it 129th in the global rankings. Between 2000 and 2010, Syria enjoyed steady economic growth averaging 4.5 per cent annually, with inflation below 5 per cent. At its peak, nominal GDP reached $60 billion, and the average income per member of the population approached $3,000. People power Despite the investments and interest, a key challenge will be getting the country workforce-ready. The prolonged war in Syria has displaced millions, with more than 6.2 million Syrians registered as refugees, and an additional 7.2 million internally displaced. This mass displacement has resulted in a substantial reduction in the available labour force, particularly in critical sectors such as construction and health care. A significant portion of the population has also experienced disruptions in education and vocational training, leading to a skills gap that hampers reconstruction efforts. To address these challenges, new initiatives like cash-for-work programmes have been introduced. These programmes aim to provide immediate employment opportunities while simultaneously rebuilding essential infrastructure. They also offer on-the-job training, helping to bridge the skills gap and empower communities to participate actively in the nation's recovery.


Zawya
2 days ago
- Zawya
Vingroup and Gulf States Pursue Sustainability-Led Growth as Legacy Powerhouses Reinvent
Vietnam's Vingroup and Gulf states are both rewriting their growth playbooks through state-led sustainability drives, forging a parallel transformation from legacy empires into green innovation hubs. HANOI, VIETNAM - Media OutReach Newswire - 6 June 2025 - Vietnam's Vingroup and Gulf nations share parallel journeys of strategic reinvention, as the old playbooks that delivered decades of growth are showing their limits. While Gulf countries built wealth on fossil fuel, Vingroup created enormous value through real estate and hospitality. Both are now shifting beyond their legacy sectors: Vingroup focuses on digital innovation and sustainability, and the Gulf nations seeks to diversify beyond hydrocarbons. For them, strategic reinvention becomes the logical response. Not disruption for disruption's sake, but calculated transformation grounded in self-preservation and innovation. Their experiences offer valuable lessons on how legacy powerhouses can adapt to structural transformation. A new growth engine that's not oil The UAE and Qatar demonstrate how national strategy can drive transformation. The UAE's Net Zero by 2050 initiative links energy policy with investment decisions and foreign relations. Qatar's National Vision 2030 embeds environmental stewardship into economic planning. More than just being aspirational, these documents translate into concrete investments. For example, the UAE committed over $54 billion to clean energy infrastructure, while Qatar doubled its solar capacity to 1.675 GW by 2025[1], cutting CO₂ emissions significantly. Sovereign wealth funds play crucial roles. Mubadala and QIA direct capital into clean technology as diversification hedges, treating green investments as strategic portfolio moves that reduce long-term risk while capturing growth opportunities. A Southeast Asian reinvention Turning to Southeast Asia, the story Vingroup mirrors many of the same themes of strategic reinvention seen in the Gulf. Originally a property development powerhouse, the conglomerate diversified into other fields such as electric vehicle production, smart technology, and green manufacturing. VinFast, its automotive arm, delivered over 97,000 electric cars in 2024 and targets 200,000 deliveries in 2025. In the context of Vietnam aiming to become a high-income country in its "era of national rise", Vingroup functions as a national champion, building the country's first global EV brand while creating jobs and technological capabilities. The company's manufacturing complex in Hai Phong utilizes green practices and scales to serve both domestic and export markets. The broader ecosystem reflects systematic thinking. VinBus provides electric public transport in major cities. Smart homes in Vinhomes developments showcase energy efficiency. AI and IoT technologies optimize resource use across business lines. Each initiative reinforces the others. When green visions align Shared motivations drive collaboration. Both regions face climate urgency, pursue economic resilience, and seek global relevance. Complementary strengths make partnership logical. For example, the UAE's Masdar built Indonesia's largest floating solar plant[2]. Vingroup's EV arm, VinFast, opened regional showrooms and has signed several MOUs with regional reputable companies. Vietnam and the UAE signed their first trade pact, focusing on technology exchange. These ties leverage unique strengths: the Gulf states brings capital, energy expertise, and execution; Southeast Asia offers manufacturing, markets, and innovation capacity. In their collaboration, the Gulf states and Vingroup prove legacy players can align vision and capital for systemic change. Sustainability, when policy-led, becomes a growth pathway. Strategic reinvention turns challenges into advantages. Hashtag: #Vingroup The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Vingroup


The National
3 days ago
- The National
World Environment Day 2025 focuses on ending plastic pollution
Communities, businesses and governments around the world observed World Environment Day on Thursday with more than 2,500 events globally. The theme for 2025 - #BeatPlasticPollution - calls for collective action to tackle the issue. The annual social and environmental cost of plastic pollution ranges from US$300 billion to US$600 billion, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. It said that by 2040, plastic leakage to the environment is predicted to grow by 50 per cent, and that pollution enters our bodies through food, water and the air we breathe. The World Environment Day ceremony was held in Jeju, South Korea. International leaders, including UAE President Sheikh Mohamed, reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the planet. In his message for World Environment Day, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said: 'Plastic waste clogs rivers, pollutes the ocean, and endangers wildlife. And as it breaks down into smaller and smaller parts, it infiltrates every corner of Earth: from the top of Mount Everest to the depths of the ocean; from human brains to human breastmilk.' 'Yet there is a movement for urgent change. We are seeing mounting public engagement, steps towards reusability and greater accountability and policies to reduce single-use plastics and improve waste management. But we must go further, faster,' he added.