Cheikh el Mokrani LNG carrier

Universal Shipbuilding Corporation has completed the 75,500m8 Mediterranean Max LNG carrier, Cheikh el Mokrani, for Mediterranean LNG Transport Corporation (MLTC) at the Tsu Shipyard. The carrier is the first of two Mediterranean Max types, the order of which was placed by MLTC, a joint venture company formed by SONATRACH, HYPROC (a SONATRACH's subsidiary), Mitsui OSK Lines, and ITOCHU Corp. in 2004. After the naming ceremony at the Tsu Shipyard, successful gas trial was conducted at the Sodegaura LNG Terminal (Chiba Pref.) of Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.
The carrier was put in service for transport of LNG produced in Algeria to European countries (France, Italy, and Spain) located along the Mediterranean Sea coast. The carriers are designed to have the optimal
size (75,000m3) for the Mediterranean Sea area, and are called Mediterranean Max. This ship type will contribute to reduction of LNG transport costs and the increase in efficiency.
Other features include: Every main Mediterranean LNG receiving terminal ports can accept the Mediterranean Max. Energy-saving type design with the use of SURF BULB/SSD. Employment of a large capacity bow thruster provides easy ship maneuverability within a port. LNG cargo containment facilities use the GTT Mark HI membrane type, with high reliability. A highly-reliable steam turbine plant is
used as the main engine.
The vessel has a length of 219 meters, beam of 35 meters and draft of 9.75 meters. The gross tonnage of the vessel is 52,855 metric tons and the deadweight is 38,164 metric tons. The cargo tanks have capacity fo 75,759 cubic meters. The main engine of the vessel is Steam turbine and has service speed of 17.5 knots.