New LNG Carrier Al Zuwair Delivered for QatarEnergy

Will be managed by the NYK Group to support a stable energy supply

18 August 2025

On August 18, the liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Al Zuwair was completed and delivered at the HHI Ulsan Shipyard of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (HHI). The vessel will be deployed under a time-charter contract with QatarEnergy, one of the world's largest LNG producers.

Al Zuwair is the third of 12 new LNG carriers being built for QatarEnergy by a joint venture comprising NYK, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd., MISC Berhad, and China LNG Shipping (Holdings) Limited. This delivery marks the first of these vessels built at HHI. Al Zuwair also represents the first instance in which the NYK Group will provide ship-management services for the consortium.


LNG Carrier Al Zuwair.   Image by NYK Group.

The ship is powered by two X-DF 2.1 iCER engines, highly fuel-efficient dual-fuel engines capable of using fuel oil and boil-off gas as fuel. Additionally, the vessel is equipped with an air lubrication system* and a reliquefaction device that effectively uses surplus boil-off gas. These innovations promote efficient navigation and help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, thereby minimizing environmental impact.

Vessel Particulars
Cargo capacity: approx. 174,000 m3
Length: approx. 299.00 m
Beam: 46.40 m
Main engine: X-DF2.1 iCER (dual-fuel slow-speed diesel engine)
Builder: HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.

The core strategy of the NYK Group's medium-term management plan, "Sail Green, Drive Transformations 2026," is to deepen the Group's existing core businesses and invest in new growth businesses. In its Energy Business Division, NYK has centered its strengthened efforts on the LNG/LPG carrier business, which the company has positioned as a growth area. NYK will contribute to realizing a stable energy supply in Japan by leveraging the experience, know-how, and networks the NYK Group has cultivated as one of the world's largest LNG carrier-owning and management companies.

* The air lubrication system is a technology that creates air bubbles along the ship's hull to reduce hydrodynamic resistance, enhancing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.

Company Profiles

QatarEnergy
Headquarters: Doha, Qatar
President and CEO: H. E. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi
Website: https://www.qatarenergy.qa/en/Pages/vHome.aspx

Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd.
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Representative Executive Officer, President & CEO: Takenori Igarashi
Website: https://www.kline.co.jp/en/index.html

MISC Berhad
Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
President & Group CEO: Zahid Osman
Website: https://www.miscgroup.com/

China LNG Shipping (Holdings) Limited
Headquarters: Hong Kong, China
General Manager: Cong Jian
Website: https://www.c-lngs.com/en

NYK Group, press release