Hanwha handpicks GTT for tank design of LNG carrier pair

South Korea’s shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean has placed an order with French technological containment specialist Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) for the tank design of two new liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers it is building for Greek shipowner Maran Gas Maritime.

The French player is set to design the tanks of the 174,000-cubic-meter (cbm) vessel duo, each fitted with its NO96 family containment system. Deliveries are scheduled for Q3 and Q4 2027.

In addition to landing tank design gigs for LNG carriers – and most recently a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) – the French firm received several approvals for its technology over the past few months.

In late October, ClassNK granted an approval in principle (AiP) for GTT’s 30,000 cbm membrane-type LNG carrier design. Before that, the firm obtained five AiPs, three for the use of ammonia and methanol as alternative fuels for LNG-powered ships, and two for a 200,000-cbm LNG carrier concept. These were awarded by ABS, Bureau Veritas (BV), and Lloyd’s Register (LR).

Lloyd’s Register recently shared the rationale behind granting the approval for the LNG carrier concept, noting that the “bold design” of the new carrier featuring slow-steaming navigation and three tanks instead of the traditional four paves the way for more sustainable LNG shipping solutions.