September 22, 2006	Friday	Sha'aban 28, 1427

DOHA, Sept 21: A Qatari company said on Thursday it has contracted to lease 10 South Korean-built liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, taking its fleet of the huge vessels to 16.

The Qatar Gas Transport Company said in a statement it signed a contract with Qatar Liquefied Gas Company to acquire seven “QFlex” carriers and three “QMax” carriers on 25-year lease.

The 10 vessels, which will be constructed by three South Korean firms — Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering, Hyundai Heavy Industries and Samsung Heavy Industries, will enter service in January 2009, QGTC managing director Muhammad Ghannam said in the statement. —AFP