On 28 April 2022, CSSC Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co. Ltd., together with China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) Group, concluded a shipbuilding contract for building six liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers with Japan’s Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK). The CNY8.4bn ($1.26bn) contracts are the largest single LNG carriers order that the Chinese shipyard has ever received. 

It is upgraded and optimized by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding on the original basis of the latest generation of "Chang Heng Series" 174,000 cubic meters of LNG carrier independently developed by Hudong-Zhonghua. The LNG carrier has a total length of 295 meters, a width of 46.4 meters, a depth of 26.25 meters and a speed of 19.5 knots. The LNG carrier will be equipped with an X-DF dual-fuel engine propulsion, and incorporated twin-skeg hull. They will also be equipped with GTT’s latest NO96 Super+ containment system.  

The new order involves a three-way partnership between China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) which will be the charterer for the six new vessels that were ordered by Japan’s NYK and involves China Merchants Group.. CNOOC is the largest LNG carrier owner working with Hudong-Zhonghua, and has ordered 22 LNG carriers in total at the yard since 2004. Ten of the vessels had been delivered.Source: www.csic.com.cn