Major classification societies sign off on large LNG carrier
Classification societies DNV, Bureau Veritas (BV) and ABS have issued Approvals in Principle (AiP) for Hudong-Zhonghua’s 271,000m3 LNG carrier design. The very large LNG carrier specification, unveiled at Gastech in Singapore, comes at a key moment in LNG carrier supply, with building capacity at full stretch as specialist yards handle a record order book.
The dual-fuelled 344m-long vessel, with a moulded breadth of 53.6m, has been designed with five cargo tanks and energy-saving features that include air lubrication and a shaft generator. The design also incorporates selective catalytic reduction to limit NOx emissions, slosh monitoring control, and an anti-collision system.
Although the new carrier is more than 50% larger than standard LNG carriers today, it will still be able to berth at more than 70 LNG terminals on principal trade routes around the world.
Song Wei, head of the Technical Department at Hudong-Zhonghua, commented on the design’s energy efficiency: "A Global Max 271K LNGC will have a lower carbon intensity index," he said, "about 23% lower than a conventional 174K LNGC, which will enable the vessel to get longer qualified service years free of operational limitations."
Norbert Kray, DNV’s regional manager, said: "LNG is an energy source that is becoming more important as we look to improve air quality and lower carbon emissions. DNV has been one of the leaders in maritime LNG technology for years, and I am delighted about our involvement in such an innovative project."
Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore president, Matthieu de Tugny, said: "I wish to express how impressed we are with CSSC Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group and their ambition to design and build the largest LNGC yet. BV has been very pleased to participate, and we sincerely thank CSSC Hudong-Zhonghua for their trust and commitment in this project and the very close cooperation we have enjoyed. Accordingly, I am delighted to issue the Approval in Principle to this landmark project, reflecting Hudong-Zhonghua’s LNG carrier leadership role in the Chinese shipbuilding industry."
