Classification society DNV has issued three approval in principle (AiP) certificates to Chinese shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua for its vessel designs, including ultra large ethane carrier (ULEC), liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carrier, and LNG bunker vessel, and general approval for ship application (GASA) certificate for very large ammonia carrier (VLAC) design.
DNV awarded the certificates to Hudong-Zhonghua at the SMM trade fair in Hamburg on September 3, 2024, for the shipbuilder’s efforts to address the shifting dynamics in the global energy market.
The AiP certificates were granted for the design of a 150,000 cubic meter ULEC, a 40,000 cbm LCO2 carrier, and a 20,000 cbm LNG bunker vessel.
The GASA certificate was awarded for an 88,000 cbm VLAC design developed through a joint development project (JDP) between DNV and Hudong-Zhonghua.
“The achievements of Hudong Zhonghua demonstrate our commitment to innovation and our pivotal role in China’s expanding presence in the global LNG market,” said Song Wei , Chief Techinical Officer of Hudong Zhonghua. “We value our partnership with DNV, whose expertise and support have been instrumental in reaching these milestones.”
“We greatly appreciate Hudong Zhonghua’s innovative spirit and dedication, which have made this partnership so successful and impactful,” commented Norbert Kray , DNV Senior Vice President and Maritime Regional Manager for Greater China.
“With our global expertise and the dedicated Gas Carriers and Alternative Fuels expert team in China, we are excited to deepen our collaboration with Hudong Zhonghua, helping to steer the maritime industry towards greater sustainability.”
Through their partnership, DNV and Hudong-Zhonghua have also created ten 174,000 cbm LNG carriers and eight 271,000 cbm Q-Max LNG carriers .