Japanese operator Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (‘K’ Line) is pleased to announce the execution of five long-term Time Charter contracts through joint venture companies with QatarEnergy.
The joint venture companies have concurrently executed shipbuilding contracts for 174,000m3 LNG carriers with Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding group. ‘K’ Line has already concluded seven long-term Time Charter contracts with QatarEnergy in August this year, making the total number of twelve vessels.
QatarEnergy is one of the world’s largest LNG producers and will allocate the newbuilding vessels to transport LNG around the world.
The newbuilding vessels will be equipped with WinGD X-DF 2.1 iCER engines which will contribute to reduction of GHG emissions and realise the ease of environmental impact by lower fuel consumption in operation.
Since the delivery of Bishu Maru in 1983 as the first Japanese LNG carrier, ‘K’ Line has been establishing expertise on LNG transportation and developing its worldwide network for nearly 40 years. The new contracts have been executed as a successful result of supervision of vessel construction with abundant experience, the high-quality ship management, and the highest level of safe and commercially optimized operation.
‘K’ Line and QatarEnergy have had long-term relationship through several existing projects. The new five Time Charter contracts, in addition to seven contracts executed in August 2022, will further strengthen the business relationship.
‘K’ Line has placed LNG business as one of the top priority areas in the future investment.
