China’s First 180,000-Cubic-Metre LNG Carrier Completed in Nantong, Jiangsu

Recently, China’s first 180,000-cubic-metre liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, independently designed and constructed by China Merchants Shipping, a subsidiary of China Merchants Group, has been successfully completed in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, and met the delivery conditions. As the largest LNG carrier ever built and completed in China to date, the vessel marks a new milestone in the country’s high-value-added shipbuilding sector. 

CCTV News reports that the LNG carrier is moored at the terminal of China Merchants Shipping’s Haimen Base. It is a specialized vessel designed to transport LNG at a ultra-low temperature of minus 163 degrees Celsius. Due to its extremely high design and construction difficulty, the LNG carrier is known as the “jewel in the crown of the shipbuilding industry”, with only a handful of shipyards worldwide mastering the core construction capabilities. 

Constructed at China Merchants Shipping’s Haimen Base, the 180,000-cubic-metre LNG carrier has an overall length of 298.8 metres and a moulded width of 48 metres. It adopts a dual-fuel low-speed propulsion system, boasting advantages such as low evaporation rate and high environmental performance. The completion of this vessel signifies a major breakthrough for Chinese shipyards in the construction of large-scale clean energy ships. 

Global Network notes that with the completion of this LNG carrier, China will have five shipyards capable of delivering LNG carriers, elevating the country’s overall shipbuilding level to world-class standards. This achievement not only reflects the continuous progress of China’s shipbuilding industry but also provides strong support for the country’s clean energy development strategy. 

China Merchants Shipping, a core subsidiary of China Merchants Group, has long been committed to advancing independent innovation in the shipbuilding sector. A senior executive from China Merchants Shipping stated that the independent design and construction of the 180,000-cubic-metre LNG carrier fully demonstrates the company’s technical strength and R&D capabilities in high-end shipbuilding. 

“This LNG carrier integrates advanced technologies and environmental protection concepts, which will effectively meet the growing demand for clean energy transportation in China and the global market,” the executive added. “It also lays a solid foundation for Chinese shipyards to further expand into the international high-end shipbuilding market.” 

As a key part of China’s high-value-added shipbuilding industry, the completion of the 180,000-cubic-metre LNG carrier is of great significance for promoting the upgrading of the country’s shipbuilding industry and accelerating the development of the clean energy sector. It also showcases China’s positive achievements in independent innovation and industrial upgrading to the world. 

At present, the LNG carrier has met all delivery conditions and is awaiting formal delivery. Relevant follow-up supporting work is being carried out in an orderly manner, and the vessel is expected to be put into use soon to provide reliable transportation support for the global LNG trade.