The CSSC-controlled shipbuilder hosted an AiP awarding ceremony on Wednesday during the World Gas Conference, which is currently being held in Beijing, China.
BV, CCS, DNV, and LR issued AIP certificates to the shipbuilder for the Panama-Flex three-cargo tank LNG carrier.
The LNG carrier will have a capacity of 201,000 cbm, while its tanks will be equipped with GTT’s NO96 Super+ containment technology.
Hudong-Zhonghua said in a statement later on Wednesday that, besides the approvals, it has also signed a joint development agreement with a unit of Cosco Shipping to develop a “future generation” LNG carrier.
Back in 2023, Hudong-Zhonghua and French LNG containment specialist GTT developed a new 174,000-cbm LNG carrier design with three storage tanks.
In December last year, GTT also secured approval from LR for its three-tank LNG carrier with a capacity of 200,000 cbm.
Hudong-Zhonghua continues to boost its LNG shipbuilding capacity and has just delivered its 50th LNG carrier.
The vessel is the 174,000-cbm LNG carrier, Al Tuwar, built under the massive QatarEnergy shipbuilding program, which includes the construction of 128 ships.
Hudong-Zhonghua delivered eight large LNG carriers last year, setting a new record for the Chinese shipbuilding industry.
In 2023, Hudong-Zhonghua delivered six LNG carriers.
The shipbuilder previously said it plans to deliver more than 10 large LNG vessels in 2025.
(Updated with a statement by Hudong-Zhonghua.)
