An agreement between Samsung Heavy Industries and Qatar Shipyard Technology Solutions (QSTS) will initially focus on ship retrofits and after-market services, while also examining joint work tied to eco-friendly technologies.

The partners said the scope under review includes decarbonization and energy-saving systems, onboard carbon-capture equipment, small offshore projects, and newbuilds of specialized vessels.

The deal was signed on the sidelines of LNG 2026, an industry conference currently being held in Doha. Executives from Samsung Heavy Industries, including Chief Executive Choi Seong-an, also discussed potential cooperation with global energy companies such as Qatar LNG and ExxonMobil during the event.

QSTS operates a yard in eastern Qatar and is a subsidiary of Nakilat, which the Korean shipbuilder described as the country’s state-owned shipping company and the world’s largest operator of LNG carriers. The yard has completed repair work on about 2,000 vessels, including LNG carriers, according to Samsung Heavy Industries.

Namgung Geumseong, vice president and head of the shipyard business at Samsung Heavy Industries, said cooperation with QSTS would be a milestone for expanding global operations and that the company intends to strengthen competitiveness through active partnerships.