Dalian Shipbuilding Industry (DSIC), the flagship yard of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), has started a research and development program for the construction of large-scale LNG carriers.
The shipyard has started the construction of a membrane-type LNG tank for a trial project.
Yang Zhizhong, general manager of DSIC, said the trial project is line with the shipyard’s continuous strategy to develop in the high-value ship market.
According to Yang, DSIC has partnered up with LNG tank producer GTT and Lloyd’s Register for the project.
DSIC received an order from Chinese clean energy firm ENN Energy for a 8,500 cu m LNG bunkering vessel last year. The vessel, which will be equipped with type-C tanks and dual fuel engine, is scheduled for delivery in 2020.
Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding is so far the only shipyard in China that has experience in the construction of large scale LNG carriers, having delivered the first ever Chinese-built LNG carrier, the 147,000 cu m Dapeng Sun in 2008. The shipyard has now teamed up with DNV GL to develop a 270,000 cu m gas carrier as Qatar comes to Asia with plans to order at least 60 giant LNG ships soon.
