Qatar Gas Transport Co. LTD., (NAKILAT) appoints Shell to manage compnay's fleet of new LNG carriers

Notes and media contacts

For further information contact:
Muhammad Ghannam at Nakilat on + 974 4672283
Rosie Clifford, Shell Shipping on +447867 550183 or
Catherine Aitken on +44207 934 8082
Carlos Ibarguen, Shell Qatar on + 974 495 7789

Qatar Gas Transport Company Ltd. (Nakilat):

Nakilat was formed in June 2004 and is a joint stock company owned 50% by its founding shareholders and 50% by the public as a result of an IPO issued early 2005. It is publicly traded on the Doha Securities Market (DSM).

In addition to owning LNG tankers, Nakilat is involved in a number of other marine related ventures in the State of Qatar. These include:

the design, building and operation of a state of the art ship repair yard (drydock facility) in Ras Laffan which is expected to be operational by end 2009;

ownership of vessels to transport the associated products of LPG, sulphur and condensate produced by Qatar gas projects;

Nakilat Agency Company which is the exclusive agent for all ships calling at the port of Ras Laffan owning and operating tug boats, pilot boats and other harbour craft in the port of Ras Laffan;

Nakilat Fuji which is a ship chandlery business providing food, provisions and stores to vessels calling at Qatari ports, and warehousing services essentially for LNG vessel spare parts in Ras Laffan.

Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (Shell)

Shell provides trading and shipping services for Shell Group operating companies and third party customers. Along with trading activities in crude oil and oil products, Shell manages a large fleet of oil tankers and gas carriers and charters additional vessels to transport Shell and third party cargoes around the world. Shell also provides shipping advice, services and expertise to Shell operating companies and Joint Ventures in more than 40 countries.

Shell manages one of the largest LNG fleets in the world and is involved in the delivery of more than a quarter of all LNG cargoes. With four decades of LNG shipping expertise, Shell provides a comprehensive range of services from feasibility and development studies through to ship/shore operations management, vessel acquisition and vessel management.