The shipping platform

Location: Ras Laffan is located on the NE coast of Qatar overlooking the Arabian Gulf. General overview: The port covers an area of 56 square kilometers. The purpose built Port of Ras Laffan (RLC) has been designed as the export facility for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), Condensates, Petroleum Products and Sulphur which are all derived from the processing of gas extracted from the North Field Gas Reservoir situated 67 km NNE of the Port. The Port of Ras Laffan Port is bound by two 10km long breakwaters with a 1km long offshore breakwater separating the two entrance channels. The two entrance channels are 400m wide and have been dredged to minus 15m CD. Within the four docks the depth reduces to minus 13.5m. The Port area accommodates LNG Carriers, LPG Carriers, partly laden/ballasted tankers up to 300,000 SDWT, Dry Cargo Vessels, bulk (sulphur) carriers, tug/barge spreads carrying construction materials or equipment and Offshore Service Vessels serving the offshore Oil & Gas Industry.The Port Limits also include the following dedicated Anchorage area. The Port of Ras Laffan has six LNG berths of which four are capable of receiving QMax vessels with a cargo capacity of 266,000 cubic metres, the largest of its kind in the industry. The other berths are capable of receiving QFlex and conventional LNG vessels which are 216,280 cubic metres and 145,000 cubic metres in capacity respectively. There are six berths that are currently operational. These berths are designed for products such as condensate, LPG, Pygas, GTL and refinery products. They are capable of handling vessels ranging in length from 160 to 345 metres respectively. The port has one sulphur berth with the capability of handling vessels of up to 60,000 tonne displacement. The combined loading rate of the two shiploaders is 3,000 tons per hour. Six berths are dedicated for dry cargo of which two offer RoRo facilities. The port has 14 berths with facilities for providing bunkers and fresh water. The berths are used for supply and support vessels servicing the offshore exploration and production activities. Available are two SPMs located about 54 kilometres from the Port. These SPMs can accommodate vessels ranging from 85,000-320,000 DWT. The ultra-modern 110-hectare shipyard is establishing Ras Laffan as one of the world leaders in ship Maintenance, repair and construction. The multi-billion dollar project is funded by QP/RLC and leased to Nakilat-Keppel Offshore & Marine (N-KOM) to manage and operate the ship repair and construction Sections. Key features of the shipyard include two large dry docks, a massive construction hall, re-fit hall, warehouse and administration buildings. Traffic figures: Approx 500 vessels and 10,000,000t of cargo handled annually. Load line zone: Tropical. Max size: - LNG Berth Nos 1 & 2: LOA 298m, draught 12.5m. - LNG Berth Nos 3 & 4: LOA 345m, draught 12.5m, max vessel arrival displacement 177,000t. - LNG Berth Nos 5 & 6: LOA 345m, draught 12.5m, max vessel arrival displacement 186,000t. - LPG/Condensate berths: LOA 345m, draught 12.5m, max vessel arrival displacement 152,000t, partly laden 300,000DWT. - Dry cargo berths: LOA unrestricted, draught 12.5m, 60,000DWT. The largest vessel called at the port: LOA: 346 m, draught: 12.5 m, deadweight: 320,350 t.