On September 30th, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), delivered the 174,000m3 large liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier “Umm Ghuwailina” two and a half months ahead of schedule for the QatarEnergy’s historic LNG fleet expansion program.
This is the third large LNG carrier delivered by Hudong-Zhonghua in September, which breaks a new record of delivering three large LNG carriers in a single month in China’s shipbuilding history.
In September, Hudong-Zhonghua officially signed the construction contract for six of the world’s largest 271,000 m3 ultra-large LNG carriers, including these six, Hudong-Zhonghua has won the order for a total of 24 ultra-large LNG carriers for the QatarEnergy’s historic LNG fleet expansion program.
At the same time, Hudong-Zhonghua has delivered 5 vessels, including 3 large LNG carriers and 1 24,000 TEU ultra-large container ship, which set a new record of 25% of the annual plan. In addition, it has also accomplished many production nodes, such as start of construction of five vessels, launch one vessel, keel laid one vessel and etc.
“Umm Ghuwailina” is the fifth generation of Hudong-Zhonghua’s “Changheng Series” 174,000m3 large LNG carrier, which is specially tailored according to QatarEnergy LNG’s technical standards for operating the world’s largest LNG fleet. “Umm Ghuwailina” combines the latest design concepts, the best technology and equipment, the strongest environmental performance, and the best of Hudong-Zhonghua’s previous LNG vessel designs.
Classed by ABS and CCS, the LNG carrier has an overall length of 299 meters, a beam of 46.4 meters and a depth of 26.25 meters, and adopts the latest generation of double stern-fin line type, and is equipped with a number of low-carbon and digital technologies and equipment.
On September 10, the first LNG carrier of the Project, “Rex Tillerson”, was named and delivered. Only 20 days later, the second LNG carrier “Umm Ghuwailina” was delivered perfectly, which will further strengthen the cornerstone of the cooperation between QatarEnergy and Hudong-Zhonghua, and greatly enhance China’s market competitiveness and international influence in the field of R&D, design and construction of large-sized LNG carriers.
It is reported that at present, Hudong-Zhonghua has 23 civilian ships of various types under construction in parallel.