China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) subsidiary Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding held a keel-laying ceremony on 9 June for what is described as the world’s largest LNG carrier, with a capacity of 271,000 cbm.

The vessel, designated a QC-Max ultra-large LNG carrier, measures 344 metres in length and is equipped with the latest upgraded No96 Super+ membrane containment system. According to CSSC, the design incorporates a dual-fuel propulsion system and a streamlined hull; and the ship is said to meet international maritime Tier III environmental standards.

The ceremony was attended by Wang Guoqiang, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, Director and General Manager of CSSC, who also held talks with Abdulrahman Al-Mullah, Shipping Project Director of Qatar Energy LNG. The two sides are said to have reached "several consensuses" on expanding cooperation. Also present were Ren Yongqiang, Assistant General Manager of COSCO Shipping Group and Chairman of COSCO Shipping Energy Transportation; Makoto Yamaguchi, representing Mitsui O.S.K. Lines; and Guo Jinting, Senior Vice President of Bureau Veritas (BV) Asia Pacific.

The 271,000 cbm carrier forms part of Qatar Energy’s 100-vessel LNG newbuilding programme. In that project tender, Hudong-Zhonghua secured orders for 36 vessels in total — comprising 12 LNG carriers of 174,000 cbm and 24 ultra-large LNG carriers of 271,000 cbm — making it the largest contractor in the programme.

According to CSSC, the vessel is designed to berth at most major LNG terminals worldwide, giving it broad applicability across long-haul routes.

CSSC said the commencement of construction on the 271,000 cbm carrier represents progress in China’s shipbuilding industry and, against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty and a complex global trade environment, “greatly boosts confidence in the stable development of the entire LNG industry chain in both domestic and international markets.”