Under this agreement, which was subsequently assigned to Ras Laffan Liquefieed Natural Gas Industry (II), the company agreed to supply 5 million tonnes per annum (Mta) to India’s first operational LNG terminal at Dahej in Gujarat. In August 2006 RasGas (II) and Petronet amended the existing SPA to implement the sale of 2.5 Mta, completing a 7.5 Mta sales agreement over 25 years.
Commenting on this milestone, Khalid Sultan Al Kuwari, RasGas Marketing Executive said, The delivery of this first ever fully loaded Q-Flex ship is another significant milestone in RasGas’ history and also further underlines the strong relationship between RasGas and Petronet LNG Limited.
RasGas’ Commercial and Shipping Group Manager, Mr Nasser Al Naimi, also commented on the added benefit that the increased carrying capacity of the Q-Flex carriers have for customers. He said, The use of Q-Flex vessels – with their greater carrying capacity between 210,000 m3 and 217,000 m3 – enhances RasGas’ flexibility to meet India’s LNG demand in the future.
As one of the world’s leading energy providers, RasGas is committed to providing secure and reliable transportation of LNG to it’s customers around the world. Due to larger carrying capacity, the introduction of the Q-Flex ships to the RasGas Fleet in 2008 has meant that RasGas is now in an even better position to serve its customers needs and offer them an economy-of-scale approach.
A. Sengupta, Petronet finance and commercial director said, Berthing Q-Flex ships at the existing jetty in Dahej terminal was originally a challenge for both Petronet and RasGas teams. The success of receiving Q-Flex ships provides us with enhanced flexibility in sourcing LNG in the long run.
Between May and September 2008 RasGas took delivery of 12 Q-Flex vessels, taking the RasGas fleet to 26 ships. In the fourth quarter of 2009, RasGas will take receipt of its 265,000 m3 Q-Max vessel.
