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Lloyd’s Register (LR) has signed the classification contract for six 174,000-cubic-metre (cbm) liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers to be built by Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co. Ltd.

When delivered, the ships will load LNG in Gladstone, Australia for a number of Chinese import terminals - Qingdao, Beihai, Tianjin, Lianyungang and Wenzhou.

Steel cutting on the first ship will be in January 2014. The final vessel will be delivered in the fourth quarter, 2017. The ships will be fitted with medium speed MAN B&W dual fuel diesel engine (DFDE) systems which will enable the ship to burn both gas and fuel oil, supplying power to twin electric motors and twin shafts. The intention would be to primarily burn gas. The LNG containment systems will be the NO96 type.

Construction will take place near Shanghai at the Jiangnan Changxing Production Line No.1, now the responsibility of Hudong, following parent group China State Shipbuilding Corporation's (CSSC) re-organisation of production facilities.

Nick Brown, Area General Manager and Marine Manager, Greater China, said: "This is a big project and a big win for LR. We are very pleased to be supporting this important project. Importation of LNG is of strategic and long term importance for China and we welcome this opportunity to provide our expertise. I am very pleased that LR's global teamwork has enabled us to win through with this contract. We will now deliver the plan approval and new construction services required to exceed the client's expectations and help ensure that high quality LNG ships are delivered."

Hudong’s Ms. Jin Yanzi, Vice General Manager, commented: "We have been co-operating with LR since 1979 on a wide variety of projects including naval corvettes, 87,000 dwt bulk carriers and 17,300 dwt multi-purpose vessels (MPVs). Hudong is experienced in LNG carrier construction and, as we all know, LR is the leading class society for LNG carriers and has the largest market share of the world fleet of LNG carriers. I am sure it will be a win-win co-operation for us and LR."

On delivery, the new LNG carrier orders will be dual classed by both LR and China Classification Society (CCS) and will sail under the Hong Kong flag.

Full LR notations for all series ships:

+100 A1 Liquefied Gas Tanker, Ship Type 2G, Methane (LNG) in Membrane tanks, Maximum vapour pressure 0.25 bar, Minimum temperature minus 163°C, ShipRight (SDA, FDA plus (40,North Atlantic), CM, ACS(B)) *IWS, LI, Ice Class 1D, Winterization C (-25°C), + LMC, UMS, NAV1, IBS

Image: Attending the signing ceremony from Lloyd’s Register: Nick Brown, Area General Manager and Marine Manager, Greater China (4th from Left); Dr. Xue Maogen, General Manager, Greater China Technical and Business (3rd from right); Wei Ying, Principal Specialist, Manager of Hull Section and Design Development Team (5th from right).

Attending from Hudong Shipyard: Mr. Wang Yong, President (5th from left); Mr. Zhou Deshou, Vice Chief Engineer (3rd from Left) Mr. Luo Le, Quality Control Manager (4th from right).