Eight new LNG carriers to feature French firm’s tanks

France’s technological containment specialist Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) has been hired by two Korean shipyards to design tanks for two sets of four new liquefied natural gas carriers (LNGCs) on behalf of an undisclosed shipowner.

The scope of the first order includes Samsung Heavy Industries building four LNGCs, each with a total capacity of 174,000 cubic meters (cbm). These will be fitted with GTT’s Mark III Flex membrane containment and insulation system, with delivery expected between Q2 and Q3 2028.

The second order was placed with an undisclosed Korean shipyard. It also entails building four 174,000-cbm vessels, but these will be equipped with a membrane containment system from the NO96 series developed by GTT. The delivery of this set of vessels is scheduled between Q2 and Q4 2028.

The French firm’s Mark III containment system recently received approval in principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for ammonia (NH3)-ready notation on LNG-fuelled vessels, allowing them to get a new lease on life following conversion.

GTT was also handpicked by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) to design the cryogenic fuel tanks for 12 new LNG-fueled container vessels on behalf of France’s CMA CGM. Six ships will be built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and another six by HD Hyundai Samho (HSHI).