On June 9 (local time), according to Global Times, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), officially started construction of the QC-Max super-large liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker with a capacity of 271,000m3, which is introduced as the largest in the world today.
According to this enterprise, the new ship is 344m long and is equipped with a new generation LNG storage system NO96 Super+. Compared to traditional LNG ships with a capacity of about 174,000m3 currently popular in the market, the new design helps increase transport capacity by about 57%.
The company said that the ship is equipped with a high-performance dual fuel engine system and an optimal hull design to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions. The ship meets Tier III environmental standards of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and can operate in most major LNG ports in the world.
In the shipbuilding Common LNG tankers are often considered one of the most high-tech and complex products, requiring specialized design, manufacturing and supply chain capabilities.
Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Company is holding nearly 60 LNG shipbuilding orders. In terms of total carrying capacity, this enterprise's order volume is currently the world's leading and its production schedule has been full until 2030.
According to Global Times, China's LNG shipbuilding market share currently accounts for more than 30% of the global market, thereby breaking the long-standing monopoly of foreign manufacturers in this field.
Analysts believe that the groundbreaking ceremony of the world's largest LNG ship not only reflects the development of China's shipbuilding industry but also contributes to strengthening LNG transportation capacity in the context of increasing demand for clean energy globally.
According to the plan, the first ship in the QC-Max line will be handed over in 2028. The manufacturer expects the project to contribute to supporting the stability of the global energy supply chain as well as promoting the green transition process in the international maritime transport sector.
