QatarEnergy names new vessel after ExxonMobil ex-chief Rex Tillerson

QatarEnergy inaugurated its first conventional-size LNG vessel at a ceremony in Shanghai on Tuesday, naming the new ship after former US secretary of state and ExxonMobil chief Rex Tillerson.

The naming ceremony at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard was attended by Qatari energy minister and QatarEnergy CEO Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, QatarEnergy LNG CEO Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa Al-Thani, among other officials.

"Tillerson’s legacy will always be remembered in Qatar and around the world, particularly for his wisdom, warmth, and sincerity, which drove one of the oldest Qatari relationships with international oil companies towards greater prosperity. We are grateful for Rex’s friendship and partnership with Qatar, and his long-lasting marks on the global energy industry," Al-Kaabi said.

A statement on QatarEnergy's website said the vessel was "named after the former Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil as a tribute to his life-long accomplishments in the energy sector".

Tillerson joined Exxon in 1975 as a production engineer, later becoming president and director of the merged ExxonMobil firm in 2004. Tillerson then became chairman and CEO of the company in 2006 and oversaw close cooperation with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar under his leadership.

In 2017, Tillerson was appointed as secretary of state under former US president Donald Trump — a role that saw him mediate between key US allies during the Saudi-led Qatar blockade.

According to reports amid the crisis, Tillerson worked to avoid an escalation by the Saudi-led bloc, reportedly urging Saudi and Emirati leaders against military action against Qatar.

Speaking to The Intercept in 2018,  former Obama Middle East adviser Robert Malley said that Qatari officials "were convinced — or at least acted as if they were convinced — that Saudi Arabia and the UAE had been planning a military attack on their country that was halted as a result of U.S. intervention".

The report also alleges that the two states lobbied Washington for Tillerson's removal from his post over his role in the mediation.

Tillerson was sacked by the Trump administration in March 2018, following a series of public rifts with the White House, including over the Gulf blockade.

Following the naming ceremony on Tuesday, Tillerson praised Qatar's work in the LNG field and recalled his experience working with the Gulf state.

"During my almost 42-year career with ExxonMobil Corp., one of the highlights was working with Qatar to develop its LNG trade. Under the wise leadership of Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and the continuing wise leadership of Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar has become the largest exporter of LNG to the world."

"I am deeply honoured to have this magnificent ship carry my name. I hope it will have many years of safe service delivering energy the world over."