China begins construction of a giant LNG carrier
SHANGHAI, June 12, 2017 (WAM) – China has begun construction work on a giant liquefied natural gas tanker with a capacity of 271,000 cubic metres, in a step that reflects its growing capabilities in advanced shipbuilding and global energy logistics services.
The QC-Max class vessel, built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the China National Shipbuilding Corporation Co., Ltd., is scheduled for delivery in 2028.
The giant ship is 344 meters long and features an advanced membrane containment system designed to maximize cargo capacity, enhance safety and improve environmental efficiency.
According to a company representative, the new vessel provides a 57% increase in cargo capacity compared to the traditional 174,000 cubic meter LNG carriers that currently dominate the market, and also maintains a daily evaporation rate of no more than 0.087%, which significantly reduces losses during transportation.
The ship operates on a highly efficient dual-fuel propulsion system, meets IMO Tier III emission standards, and can dock at most major LNG terminals around the world.
The ship was built to serve a huge Qatari liquefied natural gas project.
Hudong-Zhonghua Company received orders to build 36 ships within this program, including 24 giant-class ships with a capacity of 271 thousand cubic meters.
LNG carriers are often described as the “crown jewel” of the shipbuilding industry due to their extreme technical complexity and stringent supply chain requirements, necessitating highly advanced manufacturing capabilities.
The company’s accumulated number of orders currently stands at about 60 LNG tankers, which is the largest order book in the world in terms of tonnage size, while production schedules extend until 2030.
Thanks to the continuous increase in production capacity and technological breakthroughs, China’s share in the global market for building LNG carriers has exceeded 30%, reflecting its growing competitive strength in the advanced ship market.
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