- Qatargas’ Al Safliya, the first Q-Flex and the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker to ever transited the Panama Canal.
- The tanker with an overall cargo capacity of 210,000 meters3 of LNG–transited northbound from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean.
- This has been made possible by Panama Canal’s continued investment into its operations and resources, and due to the ongoing excellence and experience of its employees.
- In 2018, the Canal saw 340 LNG transits, up from 181 transits in 2017. So far in 2019, the Canal has seen over 100 LNG transits.
Based on an article published by Oil and Gas 360, expanded Panama Canal commemorates a milestone transit by a Q-Flex vessel, the world’s second-largest LNG tanker class.
Largest LNG tanker
The Panama Canal yesterday welcomed Qatargas’ Al Safliya, the first Q-Flex and the largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker to ever transit the waterway.
The tanker–which measures 315 meters in length and 50 meters in the beam with an overall cargo capacity of 210,000 meters3 of LNG–transited northbound from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean.
“This transit reaffirms the Expanded Canal’s ability to reshape world trade and offer customers the benefits of economies of scale,” said Panama Canal Administrator Jorge L. Quijano.
Increase in maximum allowance
Q-Flex LNG tankers can now pass through the Panama Canal following an increase in the maximum allowable beam for vessels transiting the Neopanamax locks.
Implemented in June 2018, the maximum beam allowed is 51.25 meters, up from 49 meters, as measured at the outer surface of a vessel’s shell plate and all protruding structures below the lock walls. Such an increase was made possible as a result of the efficiencies gained by the Panama Canal’s continued investment into its operations and resources, and due to the ongoing excellence and experience of its employees.
Increased environmental benefits
The Expanded Canal delivers environmental benefits as a result of its ability to help vessels shorten the distance and duration of their trips compared to alternate routes.
In combination with Al Safliya’s Q-Flex class design, which allows for the 40% reduction of emissions in comparison to other gas carriers, the Panama Canal and Qatargas saved nearly 10,000 tons of CO2 emissions compared to alternative routes, directly reducing of global emissions.
Expecting further growth
The Panama Canal is expecting to see further growth in its LNG transits following the new beam increase. In 2018, the Canal saw 340 LNG transits, up from 181 transits in 2017. So far in 2019, the Canal has seen over 100 LNG transits.
In April the Expanded Canal celebrated its 6,000th Neopanamax vessel to transit, a milestone marked by another LNG tanker, Energy Liberty, on April 23.
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Source: Oil&Gas360
