Qatargas has delivered its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo, under a new long-term supply deal with Pakistan State Oil Company (PSO) to Port Qasim, Pakistan.
The cargo was loaded onto ‘Al Gattara’, a chartered Qatargas LNG vessel, owned and operated by Nakilat. The vessel left Ras Laffan on February 26, 2016 to mark the inaugural Q-Flex delivery to Pakistan.
With the addition of this milestone delivery to Port Qasim, the Qatargas-chartered Q-Flex fleet achieved compatibility with 60 LNG terminals globally, while the larger Q-Max vessels are presently compatible with 32 LNG terminals globally.
In April 2015, Qatargas delivered the first commissioning cargo to PSO onboard the LNG vessel ‘Excelerate Exquisite,’ a floating storage and regasification unit vessel, which is currently moored at the Engro LNG terminal in Port Qasim, and is Pakistan’s first LNG import terminal.
“PSO is an important new customer for Qatargas and we are very pleased that the first Q-Flex cargo has been safely delivered. We would like to compliment and express our deep appreciation of Nakilat and our business partners in Pakistan for their tireless preparations and professional support in achieving this milestone delivery. We look forward to a safe and successful relationship with all stakeholders as we celebrate the successful first Q-Flex delivery of this important new agreement,” Qatargas chief executive officer Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa al-Thani said.
This latest achievement by Qatargas followed many months of careful preparations in conjunction with ship-owner, the Port Qasim Authority (PQA). Preparations included the development of new dedicated procedures for Q-Flex vessels and required the support of Master Mariners from Qatargas, the PQA pilots.
The first Q-Flex LNG delivery to Pakistan under a 15-year sales and purchase agreement demonstrates the Company’s commitment and further strengthens the relationship between both companies going forward, a Qatargas spokesman said, adding this achievement highlights its capability to supply LNG to customers around the globe both safely and reliably.