Q-Flex

Q-Flex is a type of ship, specifically a membrane type liquefied natural gas carrier.

Class overview
Name	Q-Flex
Builders	Hyundai Heavy Industries, Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Company, Samsung Heavy Industries
Operators	Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat)
Built	2007 – present
In service	16
Planned	31
Cancelled	-
Active	16
Lost	-
Retired	-
Preserved	-
General characteristics
Type	LNG carrier
Capacity	165,000 m3 – 216,000 m3

Technical description

Q-Flex vessels are propelled by two slow speed diesel engines, which are claimed to be more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional steam turbines.^[1][2] Q-Flex carriers are equipped with an on-board re-liquefaction system to handle the boil-off gas, liquefy it and return the LNG to the cargo tanks.^[3] The on-board re-liquefaction system reduces LNG losses, which produces economic and environmental benefits. Overall, it is estimated that Q-Flex carriers have about 40% lower energy requirements and carbon emissions than conventional LNG carriers.^[4]

The capacity of a Q-Flex vessel is between 165,000 m³ and 216,000 m³.^[5] Until the entry into service of the Q-Max-type carrier, it was the world's largest LNG carrier type with a capacity of 1.5 times that of conventional LNG carriers.^[6][7]

Contractors

The first Q-Flex LNG carrier was delivered by Hyundai Heavy Industries in late 2007. The installed re-liquefaction system is developed and delivered by Hamworthy and approved and certified by DNV.^[3] Q-Flex LNG carriers are built also by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Company and Samsung Heavy Industries.^[8]

Ships

As of 2022 there are 31 named Q-Flex LNG carriers in service.^{[9] [10][11][12]} All these vessels are owned by holding companies established by the Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat) and different shipping companies such as Pronav, MOL, K-Line, Seapeak and NYK and they are chartered to Qatar's LNG producers QatarEnergy LNG.

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