The LEKHRAIB ship, with a capacity of 174,000 cubic meters, was named on October 28 and 29, 2023, by China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES) in South Korea. This event took place on Jeju Island and in Busan port, showcasing progress in the collaboration between Chinese ship owners and Korean shipbuilders.
Project Details and Objectives
The LEKHRAIB ship is part of CMES's second project with QatarEnergy, designed to provide long-term LNG transportation services for QatarEnergy. Overall, this project includes the construction of six LNG carriers by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI). These ships are being built to support the increase in LNG production and exports in Qatar.
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In addition to these six ships, CMES has also secured long-term transportation contracts for four larger vessels with a capacity of 271,000 cubic meters of the QC MAX type, designed and built by Hudong-Zhonghua.
Challenges and Technologies Used
LNG carriers are recognized as one of the most complex types of commercial ships, as they transport natural gas at temperatures close to minus 162 degrees Celsius. The construction of these ships requires special systems for cargo containment and insulation. The LEKHRAIB ship is equipped with the GTT Mark III Flex membrane containment system, and its daily boil-off rate is limited to a maximum of 0.085 percent. Additionally, this ship has engines capable of using two different fuels.
The development and construction of these ships reflect the dynamic changes in the global LNG carrier market. Korean shipbuilders have long dominated the construction of large LNG carriers, while Chinese shipyards have gradually expanded their capabilities and received more orders for advanced vessels. The collaboration between Samsung Heavy Industries and Hudong-Zhonghua in a similar project highlights the role of these two countries in meeting the growing global demand for LNG transportation.
Research indicates that collaboration between Chinese ship owners and Korean shipyards is developing alongside competition between the shipbuilding industries of these two countries, especially in the advanced ship market.
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