Page 79 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΟΚΤΩΒΡΙΟΣ 2024

INTERNATIONAL WATERS News from the seas of the world

Moreover, in February 2025, Maersk and Hapag- QATARENERGY’S ORDERBOOK REACHES 128
Lloyd launch their operational collaboration Gemini LNG CARRIERS
Cooperation. The ambition is to deliver a flexible QatarEnergy has signed an agreement with China
and interconnected ocean network with indus- State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) for the con-
try-leading schedule reliability above 90% once struction of 6 additional state-of-the-art QC-Max
fully phased in. vessels, bringing the total number of LNG vessels
Since the two companies unveiled the new long- on order under its fleet expansion programme to
term collaboration in January 2024, they have been 128, including 24 QC-Max mega vessels.
working on finalising the details of the operational The QC-Max vessels, which will be built at Chi-
collaboration, which covers a joint ocean freight na’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard, a wholly owned
network on East-West trades. CSSC subsidiary, are the largest LNG vessels ever
With around four months to launch, Maersk and built, with a capacity of 271,000 cubic meters
Hapag-Lloyd are now ready to share an update each. The new advanced carriers are scheduled
covering finalised service maps and how the net- to be delivered between 2028 and 2031.
work has evolved since the announcement in Jan- The agreement was signed during a special cere-
uary 2024. The companies are also presenting an mony held in Shanghai, by His Excellency Mr Saad
alternative Cape of Good Hope network due to the Sherida Al-Kaabi, the Minister of State for Energy
ongoing disruptions in the Red Sea. Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy, Mr
Depending on which network the cooperation will Chen Jianliang, the Chairman of Hudong-Zhonghua
phase in, the new network consists of either 27 or Shipbuilding (Group) Co. Ltd, and Mr Hu Kai, the
29 efficient ocean mainliner services supported by President of China Shipbuilding Trading Co. Ltd.
an extensive network of 30 agile, intraregional shut- The ceremony was attended by Sheikh Khalid bin
tle services. The collaboration will comprise either Khalifa Al-Thani, the CEO of QatarEnergy LNG, Ms
300 or 340 vessels. Jia Haiying, Member of the Party Leadership Group

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