China: keel laid for Sirius Shipping’s LNG-ready tanker

A keel laying ceremony was held on February 1 for Sirius Shipping’s LNG-ready oil and chemical tanker at China’s Avic Dingheng Shipbuilding.

The vessel is the first of two ice-class 7999 dwt tankers with the Evolution design ordered by the Swedish company back in 2016.

Sirius said then that the vessels will feature a two-stroke main engine compatible to be converted to run on liquefied natural gas with two LNG tanks mounted on the deck.

According to Sirius Shipping, once delivered the firsst vessel will go on a time-charter to ESSO Norway.

Both of the vessels are expected to be delivered in 2018.