Gaztransport and Technigaz (GTT), the French LNG storage technology company for shipping and onshore, said it received its first order from a new partner, the Chinese shipyard China Merchants Heavy Industry in Jiangsu province, for the tank designs for four LNG carriers.
GTT will design the tanks of these four vessels, which will each offer a total cargo capacity of 180,000 cubic metres and would be fitted with the Mark III Flex membrane containment system.
The delivery of the vessels to an as yet unnamed European owner is scheduled between the first quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2027.
“We are glad to receive this first order from China Merchants Heavy Industry-Jiangsu for the design of the tanks of four new LNG carriers,” said Philippe Berterottière, Chairman and Chief Executive of GTT.
“With this fifth shipyard, China confirms its growing role in the construction of LNG carriers and opens up new opportunities in a context of strong demand,” stated Berterottière.
China newbuilds
Simple Hu, General Manager of China Merchants Industry Holdings, said the order for large-scale LNG carriers was the first for the Haimen shipyard in Jiangsu
“We are excited to turn our vision into reality, offering state-of-the-art vessels to the growing LNGC market,” he added.
“We highly appreciate the support provided by the GTT Group, whose experience was instrumental in the preparation and development of our solution,” he said.
GTT continues to expand its relationships with Chinese companies and shipyards with technology accords for maritime and onshore LNG tanks storage tanks.
PipeChina Engineering Technology Innovation Co. signed a cooperation agreement on April 6, 2023, for the evaluation and further promotion of GTT’s membrane containment technology for onshore LNG projects in China.
PipeChina Group is currently operating seven LNG receiving terminals in China and three new LNG import projects are under construction.
As the largest operator of LNG infrastructure in China, PipeChina said it was keen to expand its cooperation with GTT.
