Qatar’s LNG heavyweight QatarEnergy has sealed a contract with Chinese shipbuilder CSSC Hudong Zhonghua shipbuilding for the construction of eight Q-Max ultra-large LNG carriers, according to broker reports.

Image: Saad Sherida al-Kaabi,Minister of Energy in Qatar, and the President and CEO of QatarEnergy/Courtesy of QatarEnergy

Valued at over $2.4 billion, these cutting-edge vessels, part of QatarEnergy’s “Hundred Ships Program,” are set to be delivered between 2028 and 2029.

The deal, reportedly finalized last month, follows QatarEnergy’s September 2023 announcement of plans to order 15 Q-Max ultra-large LNG carriers from Chinese and South Korean shipyards. Of these, eight will be constructed by Hudong Zhonghua, with negotiations ongoing for the remaining seven vessels.

Unconfirmed media reports indicate that QatarEnergy will be paying over $300 million per ship.

The vessels will feature a new design, boasting a 271,000 cbm carrying capacity, making them the world’s largest.

Hudong-Zhonghua (HZ) Shipyard won several approvals for the ground-breaking design back in September last year from major classification societies including ABS, LR, BV, and DNV.

（Picture: Veer）