Nakilat
Qatari maritime and energy-shipping company specializing in LNG and LPG transportation, ship management, shipyard operations, and marine services.
Last updated November 2, 2026
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Overview
Nakilat, formally Qatar Gas Transport Company Limited, is a Qatari shipping and maritime-services company focused on the transportation and support infrastructure of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Established in 2004, the company was created to support Qatar’s rapidly expanding gas industry by providing dedicated marine transportation capacity. It is headquartered in Doha and is listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange under the symbol QGTS. Nakilat’s principal business is LNG shipping. Reference material describes a fleet of roughly 69 LNG carriers, with additional vessels and interests taking the broader fleet to approximately 72 vessels depending on the counting basis. The fleet represents one of the largest LNG-carrier ownership positions in the world and has a combined capacity of more than nine million cubic metres. Most vessels are committed under long-term time-charter arrangements connected with Qatar’s LNG industry, while some capacity is exposed to international shipping markets. Nakilat also jointly owns a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) with Excelerate Energy and owns or jointly owns very large LPG carriers. The company has progressively expanded beyond vessel ownership into technical and operational management. Nakilat Shipping Qatar Limited, its wholly owned ship-management subsidiary, has taken over responsibility for increasing numbers of LNG and LPG vessels from external managers. This transition began with LPG carriers in 2012, expanded to Q-Flex LNG vessels in 2014, and included a larger transfer of LNG-carrier management from Shell completed in 2017. The strategy allows Nakilat to build in-house maritime expertise while retaining long-term charter relationships and access to international technical standards. Nakilat is also a maritime-industrial platform in Qatar. At the Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard in Ras Laffan Industrial City, the company and its subsidiaries or joint ventures provide ship repair, conversion, offshore fabrication, and maintenance services. Qatar Shipyard Technology Solutions supports repair and conversion of marine vessels and maintenance of offshore and onshore structures. Qatar Fabrication Company, a joint venture with McDermott, provides fabrication and construction services and contributes to Qatar’s industrial-localization objectives. Other activities include port agency, logistics, warehousing, towage, pilot support, berthing, line handling, emergency response, and related marine services. Nakilat Agency Company supports vessels using Qatar’s ports, particularly Ras Laffan and Mesaieed, while Nakilat’s Vessel Support Unit provides warehousing and vessel-support services in Qatari waters. Nakilat-SvitzerWijsmuller provides towage and marine-support services around Ras Laffan and offshore areas near Halul Island. Nakilat’s strategic importance is closely linked to Qatar’s North Field expansion and the country’s objective of increasing LNG production. In 2024, it signed long-term agreements connected with QatarEnergy’s fleet-expansion programme covering 25 conventional LNG carriers and nine larger QC-Max LNG carriers. It also ordered additional LNG and LPG/ammonia carriers for delivery in the 2026–2027 period. These programmes are intended to provide shipping capacity for expanded Qatari LNG production and to modernize the fleet with more efficient propulsion and fuel-saving technologies.
History
Nakilat was established in 2004 as Qatar developed the marine capacity required for its expanding LNG-export industry. The company’s original strategic role was to own and provide dedicated LNG-carrier capacity for Qatar’s gas producers and export programme. Long-term charter structures allowed Nakilat to support predictable LNG movements while participating in one of the world’s largest gas-shipping networks. The company subsequently developed a wider maritime-services model. In 2006, Nakilat and Svitzer Middle East formed Nakilat-SvitzerWijsmuller to provide towage and related marine support at Ras Laffan and in Qatar’s offshore operating areas. The joint venture operates harbour and support craft and provides towing, escort, berthing, pilot assistance, line handling, emergency response, and maintenance services. A major stage in Nakilat’s development was the gradual internalization of ship management. In 2012, management and operations of four LPG carriers moved from Shell to Nakilat Shipping Qatar Limited. In 2014, the subsidiary assumed management of four Q-Flex LNG carriers. Nakilat later completed a larger transfer of management responsibility for ten LNG carriers from Shell in August 2017. These changes expanded the company’s technical, crewing, safety, and operational capabilities. Nakilat entered the floating-regasification segment in 2018 through a joint venture with Excelerate Energy. The partnership acquired a majority interest in Exquisite, an FSRU serving Pakistan’s Port Qasim. The transaction broadened Nakilat’s role from transporting LNG to supporting the infrastructure through which LNG can be received, stored, and regasified. The company also built a domestic maritime-industrial base at the Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard in Ras Laffan Industrial City. Inaugurated in 2010, the facility supports ship repair, conversion, offshore work, and fabrication. Qatar Shipyard Technology Solutions provides repair and conversion services, while Qatar Fabrication Company was established with McDermott in 2019 to undertake offshore and onshore fabrication. These activities support Qatar’s goal of localizing elements of its energy supply chain. In 2024, Nakilat became a central participant in QatarEnergy’s fleet-expansion programme. It signed long-term charter agreements for 25 conventional LNG carriers and nine very large QC-Max carriers. The latter are designed to carry 271,000 cubic metres of LNG each. Nakilat also ordered two LNG carriers and four very large LPG/ammonia gas carriers from Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries. The expansion is associated with the growth of Qatar’s North Field LNG production and includes newer propulsion and fuel-efficiency technologies. Today, Nakilat combines large-scale LNG and LPG shipping with ship management, port agency, shipyard, fabrication, warehousing, towage, and other marine-support activities. Its business remains closely connected to Qatar’s national energy-export infrastructure, although part of its shipping capacity also serves international markets.
- 2024
LNG fleet expansion agreements signed
[2]Nakilat signed long-term agreements covering 25 conventional LNG carriers and nine QC-Max LNG carriers.
- 2019
QFAB established
[1]Nakilat and McDermott formed Qatar Fabrication Company for offshore and onshore fabrication.
- 2018
Entry into FSRU ownership
[1]Nakilat formed an Excelerate Energy joint venture and acquired a majority interest in the FSRU Exquisite.
- 2017
Major LNG management transition completed
[1]Nakilat completed the transfer of management responsibility for ten LNG carriers from Shell.
- 2012
LPG ship management brought in-house
[1]Nakilat Shipping Qatar Limited assumed management and operations of four LPG carriers from Shell.
- 2010
Ras Laffan shipyard inaugurated
[1]The Erhama Bin Jaber Al Jalahma Shipyard opened in Ras Laffan Industrial City.
- 2006
Marine-support joint venture formed
[1]Nakilat and Svitzer Middle East established a joint venture for towage and marine support in Qatar.
- 2004
Company established
[1]Qatar Gas Transport Company Limited was established to develop shipping capacity for Qatar’s LNG industry.
Products and positioning
A major Qatari LNG-shipping and maritime-infrastructure operator supporting Qatar’s gas-export system and international energy transportation.
Gas shipping
LNG carriers
Nakilat owns or jointly owns one of the world’s largest LNG-carrier fleets. The vessels transport liquefied natural gas under long-term charters linked mainly to Qatar’s gas-export industry, with some ships available to international markets. The fleet includes conventional LNG carriers and larger next-generation QC-Max vessels ordered as part of QatarEnergy’s production-expansion programme.
Gas shipping
LPG and ammonia gas carriers
Nakilat owns and manages very large LPG carriers and has ordered additional vessels capable of carrying LPG or ammonia gas. These ships extend the company’s shipping portfolio beyond LNG and support the movement of liquefied gases in international energy markets.
Floating regasification · 2018
Exquisite FSRU
Exquisite is a floating storage and regasification unit jointly owned with Excelerate Energy. Located at Port Qasim in Pakistan, it stores LNG and converts it back into gas for delivery into the receiving market.
Maritime industrial services · 2010
Shipyard and fabrication services
Through Qatar Shipyard Technology Solutions and Qatar Fabrication Company, Nakilat provides vessel repair and conversion, offshore maintenance, and fabrication of offshore and onshore structures at the Ras Laffan shipyard complex.
Marine services
Marine agency and support services
Nakilat supports vessels operating in Qatari waters through port agency, logistics, husbandry, bunker coordination, crew-change administration, customs facilitation, warehousing, towing, pilot support, berthing, line handling, and emergency-response services.
Controversies
2026
Al Mayeda LNG carrier reportedly struck by unidentified objects
In a controversy note concerning Nakilat, the Qatar Gas Transport Company stated that its Al Mayeda LNG carrier was struck by unidentified objects. The company's statement did not specify what the objects were, who was responsible, or the extent of any damage or impact on the vessel. No further details on the incident, its consequences, or any response were provided in the available account. The event was reported on November 1, 2026.
Brand decisions
2024
Expand the LNG fleet for QatarEnergyOtherBackground
QatarEnergy’s North Field expansion required substantial additional LNG transportation capacity.
Action taken
Nakilat signed long-term charter agreements for 25 conventional LNG carriers and nine 271,000-cubic-metre QC-Max carriers.
Aftermath
The agreements positioned Nakilat as a principal owner and operator for the shipping capacity associated with Qatar’s LNG-production growth.
2024
Order LNG and LPG/ammonia carriersProduct launchBackground
Nakilat pursued fleet growth and more efficient vessel technology across LNG and liquefied-gas markets.
Action taken
It ordered two LNG carriers and four very large LPG/ammonia gas carriers from Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries.
Aftermath
The vessels were scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2027 and were described as incorporating fuel-saving and more environmentally efficient propulsion features.
2019
Establish Qatar Fabrication CompanyM&ABackground
Qatar was seeking greater local industrial capacity and more domestic participation in energy-sector construction and fabrication.
Action taken
Nakilat partnered with McDermott to establish QFAB at the Ras Laffan shipyard complex.
Aftermath
QFAB added offshore and onshore fabrication, construction, and assembly capabilities to Nakilat’s maritime-industrial platform.
2018
Enter the FSRU marketStrategyBackground
Nakilat sought to broaden its LNG business beyond ocean transportation and participate in receiving-terminal infrastructure.
Action taken
It formed a joint venture with Excelerate Energy and acquired a 55 percent interest in the FSRU Exquisite.
Aftermath
The transaction gave Nakilat an interest in an FSRU serving Port Qasim in Pakistan and expanded its exposure to LNG regasification services.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Al Mayeda LNG carrier reportedly struck by unidentified objects[3]
Reported:
Qatar Gas Transport Company said its Al Mayeda LNG carrier was struck by unidentified objects.
Al Mayeda attacked in the Arabian Gulf[4]
Reported:
Qatar Gas Transport Company reported that the vessel Al Mayeda was attacked by unidentified objects while sailing in the Arabian Gulf on Friday evening.
Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.
Nakilat and ABS partner on decarbonization strategy[5]
Nakilat partnered with ABS to develop a decarbonization strategy for Nakilat’s fleet of LNG and LPG carriers.
Nakilat reports third-quarter 2020 financial results[6]
Reported:
Nakilat reported third-quarter 2020 net profit of QAR 900 million, up 23.6%, and revenue of QAR 3,065 million, up 12.2%.
International Seaways sells stake in LNG joint venture to Nakilat[7]
Reported:
International Seaways announced that it had sold its 49.9% ownership interest in its joint venture with Nakilat, which owned four LNG carriers, to Nakilat for $123 million in cash.
Sources7 sources
- 1Nakilaten.wikipedia.org
- 2Nakilat official websitenakilat.com.qa
- 3Al Mayeda LNG carrier reportedly struck by unidentified objectsnews.google.com
- 4Al Mayeda LNG carrier reportedly struck by unidentified objectsnews.google.com
- 5Nakilat与ABS合作制定脱碳战略hellenicshippingnews.com
- 6Nakilat公布2020年第三季度财务业绩lngindustry.com
- 7International Seaways 向 Nakilat 出售液化天然气合资企业股权en.portnews.ru
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