GTT lands tank design gigs for LNG carrier and FSRU

French LNG containment specialist GTT has been hired to design tanks in two deals, one for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, and the other for a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU).

The first order was placed by Chinese shipbuilder China Merchants Heavy Industry- Jiangsu (CMHI) on behalf of Danish shipowner Celsius. The French player is set to design the tanks of an LNG carrier, each with a capacity of 180,000 cubic meters. 

Celsius previously ordered four 180,000 cbm LNG carrier newbuilds from CMHI, and was linked to orders for up to eight LNG carriers from China Merchants Industry Holding (CMI).

The second order came from Korea’s HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for an FSRU it is building for Japanese shipowner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL). As explained by the French company, its tanks will boast a total capacity of 170,000 cubic meters.

While the value of the contracts has not been disclosed, it was shared that orders were received in Q2 2024, with delivery targeted for Q3 2027. In both cases, tanks will be fitted with GTT’s membrane containment system, the LNG carrier with Mark III Flex, and the FSRU with Mark III.

According to the firm, its containment and insulation system, which is directly supported by the ship’s hull structure, comprises a primary corrugated stainless steel membrane. This is positioned on top of prefabricated insulation panels, including a complete secondary membrane made of composite material. 

The primary panels have the same thickness in both options – 100 millimeters, however, Mark III Flex’s 300-millimeter secondary panel is almost twice as thick as Mark III’s 170-millimeter one.

This follows the tank-design order for 10 very large LNG carriers, each boasting five tanks with a total capacity of 271,000 cubic meters, GTT received last month from Hudong-Zhonghua. Before that, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), hired the French firm to design tanks of 15 new LNG carriers it is building for a “leading” LNG player.