VESSEL REVIEW | Energy North – Nakilat welcomes dual-fuel LPG/ammonia carrier to fleet
Qatar Gas Transport Company (Nakilat) has taken delivery of Energy North, an 88,000-cubic-metre (19-million-gallon) very large gas carrier (VLGC) designed for the transport of both LPG and ammonia.
The VLGC was built by HD Hyundai Samho at its shipyard in Yeongam, South Korea. She is the first of six ships Nakilat ordered from the yard, a number that includes two LNG carriers and four LPG/ammonia carriers. Energy North was named at the yard on September 30, 2026, and Nakilat took delivery of the ship the following day.
The Marshall Islands-flagged VLGC has an LOA of 229.84 metres (754.07 feet), a length between perpendiculars of 224.25 metres (735.73 feet), a beam of 32.25 metres (105.8 feet), a depth of 23.85 metres (78.25 feet), and a draught of 13.45 metres (44.13 feet).
Her gross tonnage is 49,462, her net tonnage is 24,155, and her deadweight is 63,724.
Outfitted to reduce cargo loss during transits
The ship is classed by Bureau Veritas (BV) as an IMO Type 2G liquefied gas carrier for LPG, with unrestricted navigation.
Propulsion is dual-fuel, running on either LPG or conventional marine fuel. Under the class notation, LPG is used as fuel in the propulsion system only, and fuel oil is the alternative.
A reliquefaction plant is also fitted. This allows the ship to reliquefy any cargo vapour that boils off when heat enters the insulated tanks. This helps minimise instances of cargo loss during long transits
Nakilat said the vessel’s dual-fuel propulsion and emissions-reduction systems improve its fuel efficiency, flexibility in operations, and environmental performance.
Can be configured to accommodate future alternative fuels
The company also described the ship as having an ammonia-ready design intended for future “low-carbon” energy supply chains.
Automation allows the machinery spaces to remain unattended periodically in every sailing condition, including during manoeuvring.
The hull has meanwhile been arranged so that underwater surveys can be carried out even while the ship is afloat.
The ballast tank coatings meet the BV coating performance standard, and a ballast water treatment plant is installed. A “Green Passport” notation indicates that any hazardous materials on board are identified, quantified, and located for eventual recycling.
Nakilat placed the six-ship order with Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (as HD Hyundai Samho was then known) in January 2024, and deliveries were scheduled for the 2026–2027 timeframe. Cutting of the first steel took place in March 2025.
Upon announcing the order, Nakilat said that the four LPG/ammonia carriers would increase its fleet of LPG carriers to eight vessels.
The HD Hyundai Samho programme forms part of a wider buildup that had 40 Nakilat vessels under construction in South Korea and China as of October. That total includes LNG carriers for QatarEnergy's North Field expansion.
Energy North arrived at the Port Arthur anchorage in the US Gulf of Mexico on November 5.