Qatar’s potentially huge LNG carrier engine modification programme for its Q-Flex and Q-Max-size vessels has been nudged back.
It also remains unclear how many ships will undergo the work.
The fitting of new gas propulsion systems will give charterers Qatargas and RasGas the ability to run the vessels on both gas and heavy fuel oil, whichever is cheapest at the time.
Speaking recently about the planned retrofits, Abdullah Al-Sulaiti, deputy managing director at Qatari shipowning giant Nakilat, said the first engine conversions would probably take place sometime in 2014.
He acknowledged this would be later than original planned.
