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| TEPCO To Receive 2nd Q-FLEX LNG Carrier |
| ="Al Hamla" arriving at Futtsu terminal |
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Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) is expected to receive a Q-FLEX LNG carrier around October 22nd for the second time. The vessel will arrive at Futtsu LNG Terminal, which is a large-sized LNG carrier "Al Hamla", with capacity of 215,000 cubic meters, owned by Qatar's state-run shipping company Nakilat. In an effort to procure LNG in bulk for the purpose of increasing thermal power generation in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake, TEPCO received Q-FLEX "AL Karaana" in April for the first time. Q-FLEX tankers, which can transport about 1.5 times as much LNG as standard-sized vessels of 130,000-150,000 cubic-meter capacity can, has a merit in transportation cost. On the other hand, it has a demerit that the previous arrangement must be made at the terminal to accept a large volume of cargo. TEPCO in collaboration with Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. proceeded with preparations to receive Q-FLEX tanker and completed arrangements at Futtsu and Ogishima terminal in September 2008. However, probably because both companies became sick of the demerit of Q-FLEX, Tokyo Gas has so far received only one Q-FLEX in September 2008, while TEPCO had postponed receiving such a large-sized tanker until truly emergency situation right after the earthquake. In the meantime, LNG buyers in Western Japan, who have more frequently purchased LNG from Qatar, has increased to receive large-sized LNG carriers. Chubu Electric Power Company has accepted monthly 3-4 vessels on average. On October 3rd, the company received Q-Max, which is even larger than Q-FLEX. Kansai Electric Power Company also received Q-FLEX at Sakai LNG Terminal on July 29th for the first time. At the terminal, the system to received Q-FLEX was ready in June 2009. Meanwhile, it also became possible to receive such tanker at Himeji Terminal in March 2011. |
| last modified : Mon 24 Oct, 2011 [13:40] |
