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Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT), an engineering company specialised in the design of membrane containment systems for the transportation and storage of liquefied gases, has confirmed that it has been chosen by shipowner CMA CGM and shipyard Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co. Ltd to design cryogenic tanks for nine LNG-fuelled ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs).

The LNG fuel tanks that are to be designed by GTT represent a capacity of 18,600 cubic metres (cbm) per ship.

GTT says its Mark III membrane insulation system was chosen for its ability to optimize space, thus helping CMA CGM maximize cargo capacity usage.

The membrane tanks are to be built by Hudong-Zhonghua, who will also be in charge of building five of the boxships, whilst Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., Ltd will be responsible for constructing the other four.

The deliveries of the nine vessels are due to take place between the end of 2019 and the end of 2020.

Commenting on the contracts, Philippe Berterottiere, chairman and CEO of GTT, said: "This order is a game-changer. It marks the adoption of clean fuels by the container ship industry. GTT is proud to work side by side with CMA CGM and Hudong-Zhonghua within this revolution."

The new ULCVs will be able to carry 22,000 containers each, instead of 21,000 containers for the biggest container ships currently in operation.