On April 28, CNOOC took the lead in signing a contract for the construction of six liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers (hereinafter referred to as the shipping project) in the form of “cloud signing”. Together with the six construction contracts signed in early January this year, the construction of 12 LNG carriers will be started, with a construction amount of about 16 billion yuan. It is the largest and most invested LNG ship construction project in China, which will effectively improve the independent capacity of China’s LNG transportation industry chain.
With China’s economic development and the promotion of the “double carbon” goal, LNG imports have increased rapidly in recent years, reaching 78.93 million tons in 2021, accounting for 65% of China’s natural gas imports in the same period, making China surpass Japan to become the world’s largest LNG plant importer. LNG transportation is an important link connecting overseas LNG resources and domestic users. Enhancing the autonomy of LNG transportation is a key measure to ensure the “artery” of energy transportation. However, for a long time, China’s LNG import has been mainly delivered by the seller on shore, and the transportation right is controlled by large international resource providers. Compared with the large importing countries in Europe, Japan and South Korea, China’s LNG transportation independent capacity is relatively weak.
In recent years, with the support of CNOOC and other major domestic oil and gas enterprises, China Shipbuilding Hudong Zhonghua shipyard has successively delivered more than 20 large LNG ships, gradually developing into a world-class LNG ship shipyard. With the gradual expansion of the scale of domestic ships, the “Chinese elements” in China’s LNG transportation industry chain continue to increase, and the strength of ship owners, ship operators, classification and other links have been rapidly improved.
As the largest LNG importer in China and the second largest LNG importer in the world, CNOOC has long been committed to promoting the overall development of China’s LNG industry chain. Since CNOOC built its first ship in Hudong Zhonghua shipyard in 2000, it has built a total of 10 domestic large LNG carriers, and has made many breakthroughs in the field of independent design and construction of LNG carriers together with Chinese ships.
“This time, CNOOC will also work with China Merchants Group and internationally renowned shipping companies to participate in the whole process of ship construction, supervision, management and operation. After the delivery of the new ship, CNOOC will be responsible for ship scheduling and resource transportation independently, which will further improve China’s independent control over the whole chain and cycle of LNG transportation.” Jin Shuping, deputy general manager of CNOOC power group, said.
It is reported that the 12 new ships will adopt the latest fifth generation LNG ship type independently developed by Hudong Zhonghua shipyard and jointly optimized with CNOOC. Using the world’s most advanced main engine system and the latest cargo tank technology, the oil consumption of ships can be significantly reduced, and the cost of resource transportation can be reduced. The carbon emissions are 15 years ahead of the requirements put forward by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Other emission indicators can meet the most stringent international standards, ship performance, environmental protection indicators The technical level is at the international leading level.
“This time, in combination with CNOOC’s higher demand for safety, green, flexibility and low cost, we have greatly optimized the performance and main indicators of 12 new shipbuilding ships. Since the first cooperation with CNOOC in 2000, we have been deeply engaged in the field of LNG carrier construction, constantly improving and improving our independent ability. From the first generation to the current fifth generation of the latest ship types, both performance indicators and environmental protection indicators are extremely high With international competitiveness, China has achieved a great leap from following and leading in the LNG shipbuilding field. Together with CNOOC, it has promoted the improvement of the independent capacity of China’s LNG transportation industry chain. ” Said Chen Jun, general manager of Hudong Zhonghua shipyard.
LNG carrier is a special ship that transports LNG at a low temperature of – 162 ° C. It is known as the “pearl in the crown” of the world shipbuilding industry together with aircraft carriers and luxury cruise ships. The maximum LNG loading capacity of the newly-built LNG carrier is 174000 cubic meters. After vaporization, it will reach 108 million cubic meters of natural gas, which can be used for about 16 days for the residents of Beijing. 12 LNG carriers are planned to be delivered year by year from 2024 to 2027.
Wang Dongjin, chairman of CNOOC, said that the company is actively promoting the green development leap forward project, accelerating the development of LNG business in the whole industry chain, enhancing the capacity of natural gas production, supply, storage and marketing, and building a diversified low-carbon energy supply system. It plans to sell more than 100billion cubic meters of natural gas by 2025.
Post time: Aug-05-2022
