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The world's largest LNG ship through the Panama Canal innovation milestone
On May 13th, Qatargas's “Al Safliya” successfully passed the Panama Canal and became the first Q-Flex LNG carrier through the Panama Canal. It is also the largest LNG ship passing through the Panama Canal so far, creating a New milestones.
The “Al Safliya” is a 210,000 cubic meter Q-Flex LNG ship with a length of 315 meters and a width of 50 meters.
Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, President and CEO of Qatargas, said: "We are proud of this achievement. Qatar is committed to further enhancing the depth and flexibility of our global LNG supply portfolio. This milestone will undoubtedly bring Future business opportunities."
It is understood that the Panama Canal was expanded in 2016 to complete the new lock, allowing the LNG ship to pass through the canal. In April 2018, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) announced that the new lock can accommodate 51.25 meters wide and can provide transit services for Q-FlexLNG vessels.
Prior to this, Qatargas and the ship operator Pronav Ship Management Co., Ltd. had been carefully planned for several months and worked closely with the Panama Canal Authority. Pronav is a professional LNG ship management company. Currently, the company manages four Q-Flex LNG ships under Qatargas, all built by Daewoo Shipbuilding, namely the "Al Ghariya" and "Duhail" built in 2008. And the "Al Ruwais" and "Al Safliya" built in 2007.
