Chinese shipbuilder begins construction of 295-meter LNG carrier

Chinese shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding has started the construction of what is said to be the first single-class large LNG carrier of China Classification Society (CCS).

The steel-cutting ceremony for the 174,000 m3 LNG carrier H1909A of PetroChina International was held at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding on March 4.

This carrier is of the second series in the LNG Phase III project of COSCO and PetroChina, part of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), and also the first single-class large LNG carrier of CCS.

Three 174,000-cubic-meter ships Shaolin, Wudang, and Kun Lun were put into operation in the first phase of the project, and three ships of the second phase are under construction. 

According to CCS, the carrier is the fourth generation Changxing series large LNG carrier independently developed by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, which has full intellectual property rights.

With a length of 295 meters and the capability to reach a speed of 19.5 knots, the ship adopts the world’s latest generation of dual fuel low-speed propulsion power system, with a daily fuel consumption within 100 tons, and can operate in either gas or fuel mode, meeting the sulfur oxide emission regulations and nitrogen oxide emission TIERIII regulations in MARPOL Annex VI, CCS said.

“The commencement of this single class project marks another milestone in the development of CCS LNG carriers, making a significant contribution to the development of CCS. By upholding the national strategy of being strong in transportation, maritime and energy, CCS will make unremitting efforts, accumulate knowledge, and continuously improve its survey capabilities to pay tribute to the “two sessions” with its breakthrough in single class LNG carrier,” CCS said.

To remind, COSCO and CNPC placed an initial order for three LNG carriers at Hudong-Zhonghua back in 2020. In June 2021, CNPC ordered three more 174,000 cbm carriers at the same shipyard.

At the end of 2021, Hudong-Zhonghua received another order for three LNG carriers which are slated for delivery in September and December 2024, and March 2025.

The order for two LNG carriers as part of the third phase of the project was made in the summer of 2023. On October 23, the company held a steel-cutting ceremony for the first LNG carrier.