[Marine Link/ June 26, 2024] U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporter Venture Global has launched its first LNG vessel, the Venture Gator, at the Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard in Geoji-si, South Korea.

The Venture Gator is the first of nine LNG carriers in the Venture Global fleet to be completed in quick succession across three shipyards in South Korea over the coming 24 months, which will transport LNG from the U.S. to multiple global partners and destinations.

The ship is said to deploy best-in-class environmental and efficiency technology and will be primarily fueled by Venture Global’s LNG. The Venture Gator and progressively the fleet’s other eight ships will serving the company’s global partners in Europe and Asia, starting from fall 2024.

The Venture Gator is a 174,000 cubic meter ship, incorporating the new hull design, onboard reliquefication (for liquefying gas which has ‘boiled-off’ in transit), air-lubrication systems (ejecting air bubbles from the hull to reduce friction through the water), an auxiliary shaft generator (reducing the number of auxiliary generators running at sea) and exhaust gas recirculation systems (to reduce methane).

“Venture Global is proud to have launched our first ship, the Venture Gator at SHI in Korea. President Biden has committed to increasing LNG supply into Europe and we are pleased to be in a position to continue to support these efforts with a fast-growing shipping fleet, wholly owned, operated and controlled by Venture Global.

“With these ships, we will increase the security of natural gas supply, through low-cost LNG delivered directly to allies across the world” said Mike Sabel, CEO of Venture Global.