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French LNG tank specialist GTT has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Wison Offshore & Marine, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Wison Group.

According to the agreement, both parties will cooperate on various LNG projects, such as LNG carriers (LNGCs), floating storage regasification units (FSRUs), floating LNG units (FLNGs) or other LNG floating units with GTT membrane tanks.

GTT specializes in the design of membrane containment systems for the transportation and storage of liquefied gases. Amongst its many projects, GTT has developed a subsea storage solution for LNG bunkering, the Gravity Based System (GBS), which consists of a concrete chamber and a membrane containment tank designed by GTT.

GTT also forms part of a joint industry project that is looking to develop an LNG-fuelled boxship with no engine room. The Piston Engine Room Free Efficient Containership (PERFECt) is an electric-driven 20,000-TEU ultra-large container vessel (ULCV) with an LNG-fuelled combined cycle gas and steam turbine (COGES) electric power plant.

Wison, meanwhile, has developed a range of solutions for FLNGs, LNG distribution vessels, LNGCs, FSRUs and bunkering vessels.

Philippe Berterottiere, chairman and CEO of GTT, commented: "We are pleased to be able to strengthen our partnership with Wison, a key player in the offshore LNG market. We will be able to offer together innovative and cost-effective solutions in this area as well as other markets such as LNG as a fuel, bunkering and small-scale shipping."

"The cooperative work will further enhance Wison's capability to design and build facilities that integrate GTT technology and engage GTT-licensed outfitters. By furthering streamlining Wison's value-added offering using GTT technologies, two companies will conduct dedicated workshops to develop more cost-competitive and reliable product concepts for the industry," Wison said.

Ying Cui, CEO of Wison Offshore & Marine, remarked: "We're very glad to build up the mutually beneficial cooperation with GTT. By leveraging Wison's expertise in EPC project execution and GTT's leading technologies, we'll provide the LNG industry with more economical and tailor-made solutions to help clients achieve higher yield in their investment and unlock the market potential."