On September 10th, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), held a grand naming ceremony to celebrate the naming of the first and the second 174,000 m3 large LNG carriers for North Gas Field Expansion Vessel Acquisition Project of Qatar on the same day. The two LNG carriers were named “Rex Tillerson” and “Umm Ghuwallina”.
One of them, the “Rex Tillerson” was named after the former Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil as a tribute to his life-long accomplishments in the energy sector.
“Rex Tillerson” and “Umm Ghuwallina” are the latest Hudong-Zhonghua’s self-developed fifth-generation “Changheng Series” 174,000 m3 LNG carriers, and are specially tailored to the technical standards of QatarEnergy’s largest LNG fleet in the world.
It combines the latest design concepts, the best technical equipment, the strongest environmental performance, the most forward-looking, and the essence of Hudong-Zhonghua’s previous four generations of LNG carriers. With an overall length of 299 meters and a beam of 46.4 meters, it adopts the latest generation of double stern fin lines and is equipped with a number of low-carbon and digital technologies and equipment, and is classed by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).
At present, Hudong-Zhonghua has started the construction of 9 of the first 12 174,000 m3 large LNG carriers under the “100 Ships Program” and 5 of them have been launched. All LNG carriers are equipped with the latest maritime technology ensuring optimal operational efficiency and compliance with the most stringent environmental regulations reflecting QatarEnergy’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
The two LNG carriers named this time will be signed and delivered on September 12 and late September respectively. With the highest and most advanced safety, technical, and environmental standards, the vessels are equipped with state-of-the-art dual-fuel engines, generators, and boilers to further reduce both fuel consumption and emissions.
The two vessels, set to be delivered ahead of their contracted delivery schedule, are under long-term charter by QatarEnergy Trading (QET).
Yesterday (September 9), Hudong-Zhonghua and QatarEnergy jointly announced a new order for six new the world’s largest 271,000 m3 ultra-large LNG carriers, making Hudong-Zhonghua’s total number of orders for 24 271,000 m3 ultra-large LNG carriers and 12 174,000 m3 large LNG carriers.