Qatar orders first quarter of Chinese LNG tankers

The world’s largest LNG exporter has taken the first step in its vast fleet expansion

State-owned Qatar Petroleum (QP) has ordered four LNG carriers from Chinese shipbuilder Hudong, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, as the first step in its plans to significantly expand its capabilities ahead of its North Field East (NFE) expansion. But the initial order represents just a quarter of the capacity it potentially has reserved with Hudong, while it has still to kick off a far bigger option with yards in South Korea. QP values the deal for the four ships confirmed with Hudong at QAR2.8bn ($760mn). It signed a deal with the Chinese firm in April 2020 to reserve capacity out to 2027 that could total in excess of QAR11bn, “depending on [QP’s] requirements and the