About

National Gas Shipping Company, Ltd. (NGSCO) was formed in, December 1993, to cater for the future shipping requirements of Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Company Limited (ADGAS).

Since the start of the export of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Das Island, in 1977, the shipping requirements had been met by chartering third party LNG carriers. However, in conjunction with the expansion of the liquefaction plant on Das Island and the agreement for a further 25 years business with TEPCO, in Japan, it was decided that new ships would be required to meet ADGAS’s commitment.

It was decided that the vessels would be demise chartered to NGSCO on an, initial, 25 year charter and NGSCO as the owning company would employ managers to cover the manning and day to day management of the vessels. NGSCO operates the LNG vessels and monitors the appointed ship managers.

The first vessel, Al Khaznah, was delivered in July 1994 and this vessel has been followed by a further seven vessels, the last of which was delivered in June 1997.

The first four vessels were built-in Japan, with the last four vessels being built in Finland. Both the Japanese and Finnish built vessels are of the Moss Rosenberg design and are, currently, the largest LNG carriers in the world.

In addition to the supply of the LNG shipping to ADGAS, NGSCO has a contract of affreightment for the carriage of LPG from Das Island. Also, there is a separate agreement between NGSCO and ADGAS under which NGSCO supplies shipping advice and expertise to ADGAS. ...Show less