Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard and classification society DNV GL have signed an agreement for a joint development project (JDP) for a new 270,000-cbm LNG carrier – the largest ever ship of this type.
In recent years, China’s LNG imports have been growing rapidly. China imported 37.8 million tons of LNG in 2017 and this has rapidly climbed to more than 54 million tons in 2018, an increase of 42 percent.
In light of the country’s ‘protecting blue sky’ campaign, it is forecasted that the demand for LNG in China will continue to grow at a high level, and it is expected to exceed 100 million tons by 2030. Shanghai alone imported a record 600 million cubic meters of LNG in January 2019, requiring six 170,000-cbm vessels.
The transport of large amounts, from diverse suppliers, will require new vessels and greater efficiencies. To achieve this, the new JDP will see Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard and DNV GL cooperate to bring their expertise and experience in research and development, engineering, classification, and construction, to develop an ultra large LNG carrier with a capacity of 270,000 cubic meters.
A vessel of this size could transport enough LNG to provide gas for 4.7 million Shanghai homes for a month, 25-30 percent more efficiently than a 170,000-cbm vessel. In addition, a single 270,000-cbm vessel would increase terminal capacity by 50 percent without expanding the size of the terminal.