EMEA News
DNV GL, Qatari Shipyard Join Forces to Promote LNG Bunkers
Classification society DNV GL and Qatari shipyard Nakilat-Keppel Offshore & Marine (N-KOM) have signed an agreement to promote liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering.
N-KOM, which is a joint-venture between Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat) and Keppel Offshore & Marine, said that the agreement will help the company leverage DNV's connections into the areas of LNG vessel retrofits and the construction of floating facilities.
"With the signing of this MOU (memorandum of understanding), we take a significant step further in becoming the preferred gas solutions provider on a global scale," said N-KOM CEO Chandru Rajwani.
"We will be able to offer our customers an even wider range of solutions and facilities for liquefied natural gas as marine fuel and other gas solutions."
The agreement will also see the two entities cooperate in bunker barge newbuilds and on coolant barges for temporary gas storage, in addition to promoting LNG as a fuel in the offshore sector.
"Qatar is the single largest producer and exporter of liquefied natural gas in the world and has become a leading cluster for gas-related activities," said DNV CEO Henrik Madsen.
"Therefore, we look forward to establishing a valuable partnership with N-KOM which further cements our strong market position on LNG as fuel in this region and benefits the environment by making the shipping industry greener."
DNV also said earlier this year that Qatar's entry into the LNG bunkering market would be a "game-changer," given that it is already the world's single largest exporter of LNG.
