On October 20, "Lünenghai," the No. 2 vessel of the CNOOC medium- and long-term FOB resource supporting LNG carrier project (Phase II) — China's largest LNG (liquefied natural gas) carrier construction project — was named and delivered at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard on Changxing Island in Shanghai. To date, 8 of the project's 12 vessels have been completed and delivered, bringing delivery progress to two-thirds.
The "Lünenghai" LNG carrier has an overall length of 299 meters, a molded breadth of 46.4 meters, a molded depth of 26.25 meters and a service speed of 19.5 knots, with a design cargo capacity of 174,000 cubic meters of liquefied natural gas. The vessel adopts the latest-generation cargo containment system, with a cargo tank natural boil-off rate as low as 0.085%, and is equipped with an LNG sub-cooling unit to further reduce cargo tank boil-off gas. Its dual-fuel main engine is fitted with an intelligent exhaust gas recirculation system and a water treatment system, enabling compliance with IMO Tier III (International Maritime Organization nitrogen oxide emission limits) requirements in both fuel oil and gas modes. Compared with the previous generation of vessels, the ship has lower overall energy consumption, better tank-type compatibility, and improved cargo capacity and route adaptability.
According to the project team, lean management tools were applied during the construction of the "Lünenghai" to optimize processes and procedures, significantly improving construction efficiency and completing sea trials 7 months before delivery.
The CNOOC medium- and long-term FOB resource supporting LNG carrier project involves the construction of 12 174,000-cubic-meter LNG carriers, with 6 vessels each in Phase I and Phase II. To date, the delivered and operational "Lüneng" series LNG carriers have transported more than 4.7 million tons of LNG in total, with routes covering more than 50 receiving terminals across five continents. Two vessels, the "Lünengying" and the "Lünengzhu," received the "Green Ship Award" from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
A relevant CNOOC official stated that the project is an important measure for implementing the national new energy security strategy and enhancing the capability for independent LNG resource transportation. All vessels in the project are expected to be delivered by the end of 2027, adding more than 2 million cubic meters of transport capacity.