QatarEnergy christens 174,000-cbm LNG carrier at HD Hyundai
QatarEnergy has christened a new 174,000-cubic meter LNG carrier, marking another step in the state-owned giant's massive 128-vessel fleet expansion to secure its position in global energy transport.
QatarEnergy has added a new liquefied natural gas carrier to its global shipping fleet. The vessel, named Halwan, was officially christened at a July 14 ceremony held at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ shipyard in South Korea.
The 174,000-cubic meter ship is the ninth in a 12-vessel series commissioned by the Qatari state-owned energy giant. A multinational joint venture organized the construction, bringing together Japan’s K Line and NYK, China LNG Shipping, and MISC through its wholly owned subsidiaries Portovenere and Lerici (Labuan). This consortium structure allows major maritime players to share the heavy capital expenditure required to build modern mega-ships for a single dominant client.
Halwan is specifically tailored for the tightening regulatory and economic environment facing the maritime sector. The vessel is equipped with an X-DF 2.1 iCER low-speed dual-fuel engine and an air lubrication system. By generating air bubbles along the ship's bottom to reduce seawater resistance, the design cuts fuel consumption. For market participants, this technology is a critical financial hedge, as it reduces greenhouse gas emissions while shielding operators from volatile fuel prices and future environmental penalties.
K Line will manage Halwan as part of its responsibility for three of the dozen vessels in this series. The Japanese shipper previously identified LNG transport as a top priority for future investment in its May 2022 medium-term management plan. The company is using these modern, highly efficient vessels to secure long-term contracts and capture market share as global energy demand grows.
The christening of Halwan represents just a fraction of QatarEnergy’s overarching capital deployment in maritime logistics. The company is executing a fleet expansion program that will ultimately bring its total to 128 vessels. That broader order book includes 24 QC-Max-size LNG ships. The seventh and eighth vessels in this current joint venture series, named Sharq and Shra’Ouh, were similarly christened in December 2025.
