Hudong-Zhonghua hands over 3rd LNG carrier to COSCO and CNPC

Chinese shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding has delivered the third liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier to compatriot COSCO Shipping Lines and energy firm China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).

As informed, the delivery ceremony took place at CSSC Changxing Shipbuilding yard on 24 March. The firm held a naming ceremony for the ship at the same time, and the 174,000-cbm vessel was named Kun Lun.

The company noted that this is the first large-scale LNG carrier delivered in China this year.

During the construction of “Kunlun”, the company used digitalisation, promoting new processes and new construction methods, which significantly shortened the construction period. The LNG carrier was delivered one month ahead of schedule.

The ship was independently developed and designed by the company. It has a total length of 295 meters, a molded width of 45 meters, a molded depth of 26.25 meters, and a speed of 19.5 knots. It is classed by Lloyd’s Register (LR) and China Classification Society (CCS).

The LNG carrier is equipped with advanced environmental protection devices to meet the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) requirements.

As its sister vessels, Shaolin and Wudang, the unit features WinGD X-DF dual-fuel engines.

To remind, the first LNG carrier Shaolin was delivered in October, and the second unit Wudang in December last year.

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.