Engine manufacturer Everllence has signed an engineering design agreement (EDA) with Shanghai-based Chinese state-owned shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. for the development of a 180,000-cbm LNG carrier featuring Everllence’s DFE+ (dual-fuel, electric+) propulsion system.

The EDA was signed on 5 June, with Yang Chunhua, deputy director of Hudong-Zhonghua’s Technical Centre, and Pan Ke, head of Sales & Projects, Four-Stroke China, representing Everllence at the signing.

The two companies have previously collaborated on the delivery of 10 conventional dual-fuel diesel-electric (DFDE) LNG carriers. According to Everllence, the new agreement is intended to advance more environmentally friendly and efficient LNG shipping, particularly in response to tightening IMO carbon intensity indicator (CII) requirements.

Song Wei, chief technical engineer of Hudong-Zhonghua, commented: “Decarbonisation is an obvious development trend in the shipping industry. Ship owners are currently faced with unprecedented challenges and uncertainties as they are fighting to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. We are very glad to work together with Everllence to develop the hybrid-electric propulsion solution with high efficiency on LNG carriers, which shall provide more options for ship owners.”

Dominik Thoma, global manager LNG cargo at Everllence, remarked: “Nowadays, individual technology providers can only achieve marginal efficiency improvements. Accordingly, for bigger gains, shipyards and engine manufacturers need to work closely together. Hudong-Zhonghua — as a market leader in the construction of LNG carriers — and Everllence — as a market leader in the design and manufacture of four-stroke engines — possess the joint capabilities to bring propulsion systems to the next level.”