Samsung Heavy Industries gives tank design job to French firm for new LNG vessel

French technological containment specialist Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) has expanded its workload with a new tank design assignment for a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, thanks to a deal with South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI).

This order from the Korean shipyard will enable GTT to handle the tank design of a new LNG carrier, which is slated for delivery in the second quarter of 2027. The ship, which will feature a total capacity of 180,000 cubic meters (cbm), will be fitted with the French player’s Mark III Flex membrane containment system.

The firm received the approval in principle (AiP) last year for advancements in its Mark III multifuel-ready membrane containment system and the new 200,000 cbm LNG carrier concept from ABS, BV, and Lloyd’s Register (LR).

The new contract follows orders from Korean and Chinese shipyards for tank designs for four new liquefied natural gas carriers. The firm also recently got a technical services contract with Maran Tankers for eight LNG dual-fuel Suezmax vessels.

Last month, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) hired GTT for the tank design of six new very large liquefied natural gas carriers (LNGCs), while Samsung Heavy Industries tasked the firm with the tank design of a very large ethane carrier (VLEC) trio.

In addition, the French player joined forces with China Offshore Engineering & Technology to enhance solutions for floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) and floating storage and regasification units (FSRU).