Until early 1994, The ADGAS LNG was transported on a time charter basis, which was being looked after by Liquefied Gas Shipping Company (LGSC). On completion of the Das Island LNG Third Train, it has become imperative that a local company should be established to bareboat charter the LNG vessels rather than depending on third party time charter.
In the second quarter of 1993, ADNOC along with Mitsui, BP and Total formed a Shipping Task Force to study the need and feasibility of establishing a shipping company to run the eight ships, which were under construction.
As a result of this study, a joint venture has been planned and a shipping company
has come into operation under the name of National Gas Shipping Company Limited (NGSCO) in December 1993.
The first ship of a fleet of eight ships Al Khaznah was delivered on 29th July 1994 followed by Shahamah on 3rd October 1994, Ghasha on 1st June 1995, Ish on 10th November 1995, Mubaraz on 16th January 1996, Mraweh on 3rd June 1996, Al Hamra on 2nd January 1997 and Umm Al Ashtan on 27th May 1997.
The first LNG cargo on the new build vessels to Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) was loaded at Das Island on 30th August 1994 and was delivered on 16th September 1994.
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