Maritime Vessels Directory

Qatari state-owned oil and gas company Qatar Petroleum has entered into what it says "are the largest LNG shipbuilding agreements in history to secure more than 100 ships valued in excess of QR 70 billion [USD19,2 billion] to cater for its LNG growth plans." Qatar Petroleum said Monday it had entered into three agreements with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), respectively, to reserve LNG ship construction capacity in South Korea, to be used for Qatar Petroleum’s future LNG carrier fleet requirements, including those for the ongoing expansion projects in Qatar's offshore North Field and in the United States.

Sovcomflot's Arc7 ice-class Christophe de Margerie liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier has made history by successfully transiting the Eastbound ice-covered part of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) in May, carrying LNG from Novatek's Yamal LNG project to China.The Russian vessel owner said the event marked the first time in the history of the shipping industry that a large-capacity vessel of this class has passed along the Northern Sea Route eastwards in May when the ice conditions in the eastern sector of the NSR are rather difficult. Traditionally, navigation in the area is opened only in July.

A new 36-meter service accommodation transfer vessel (SATV) completed its sea trials program for owner Ventus Marine and charterer Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and has commenced operations and maintenance activities on the Formosa 1 offshore wind farm project in Taiwan.The first-of-its-kind vessel was designed by BMT and built by Penguin Shipyard International. It is engineered to provide long-term offshore accommodation for 10 crew onboard for the 12 day offshore endurance, while still being able to push up against the turbine to transfer technicians. The new concept will fill a gap where a full size SOV (service operation vessel) would be unsuitable and too expensive, BMT said.

Two Iranian tankers that delivered fuel to Venezuela as part of a five-vessel flotilla have begun to sail back, according to Refinitiv Eikon, as the government of the South American nation prepares stations to begin charging for the gasoline.The supply is meant to ease fuel shortages that have plagued the country. After three months of fuel rationing, Venezuelans began lining up on Saturday to wait for the Iranian gasoline to be sold at stations from Monday under a new system combining subsidies and internationally-indexed prices.The model will put an end to over two decades of Venezuelans filling up their tanks for next to nothing.

Dozens of seaports across Asia, Oceania, Middle East, Africa, Europe and Americas have pledged to remain open to merchant vessels to ensure the flow of essential goods throughout the coronavirus pandemic.To date, more than 50 port authorities have signed on to support the Port Authorities Roundtable (PAR) COVID-19 declaration, initiated by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore for ports to commit to staying open to merchant vessels and work together to share best practices in ensuring that port operations can remain undisrupted.“Now is the time, more than ever, for global supply chains to remain intact.