Wedoany.com Report-Sept. 15, China’s largest domestically developed floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) facility, the NGUYA FLNG, was successfully delivered in Nantong, Jiangsu Province, on Sunday under the escort of the Nantong Maritime Safety Administration, according to China Media Group (CMG). The achievement highlights a significant advancement in the country’s offshore engineering equipment capabilities.

China's largest domestically developed floating liquefied natural gas facility, the NGUYA FLNG, departs from Nantong in East China's Jiangsu Province on September 14, 2025. With the biggest tonnage and gas storage capacity of its kind, the facility is delivered for deployment in Republic of Congo in Africa.

The facility is 376 meters long, 60 meters wide, and 35 meters deep, making it the largest of its kind in terms of tonnage and gas storage. It is designed with an LNG storage capacity of 180,000 cubic meters and a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage capacity of 45,000 cubic meters. With an annual LNG production capacity of 2.4 million tons, it represents a major milestone in the development of large-scale offshore energy solutions.

The NGUYA FLNG will be deployed in waters off the Republic of the Congo, marking a breakthrough for China in manufacturing high value-added offshore engineering equipment. Due to its massive size, specialized design, and the complexity of the navigation environment, the Nantong Maritime Safety Administration conducted detailed navigation safety assessments following the departure ceremony on August 26. Adjustments to the towing plan were made in response to tidal conditions, ensuring safe and efficient completion of the offshore towing operation on Sunday.

According to CMG, the operation required extensive coordination and resources. A total of 14 patrol vessels and tugboats, supported by eight law enforcement officers and three drones, ensured the safety of the convoy. The towing formation, stretching 740 meters, set a new record for coastal towing in Nantong, demonstrating the country’s advanced maritime safety and operational management.

Industry experts emphasized the importance of this achievement. Lin Boqiang, director of the China Center for Energy Economics Research at Xiamen University, told the Global Times: "This large-tonnage, high-capacity FLNG facility not only enhances China’s voice in the international LNG market, but also accelerates the country’s deeper development and utilization of marine energy." He further noted that China’s natural gas extraction technologies are already world-class and stressed that natural gas, among fossil fuels, is relatively clean with the lowest carbon emissions.

Lin highlighted that China’s advanced equipment, combined with competitive costs, plays a vital role in supporting global low-carbon development. "For some nations where economic conditions remain challenging, affordable and efficient solutions matter greatly. With strong technologies and favorable costs, Chinese partners are often viewed as a preferred option," he added.

The successful delivery of the NGUYA FLNG reflects China’s growing strength in offshore engineering, underlining its capacity to design and build complex, high-performance energy facilities. It also illustrates how the country is contributing to cleaner energy development and enhancing cooperation with international partners.