China has delivered its largest independently designed and constructed liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier to date, marking a major step forward in the country’s shipbuilding capabilities for clean energy transportation.
The vessel, named Celsius Georgetown, departed for Singapore after its official delivery at 10:50 a.m. from the dock of China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd., according to the shipbuilder.
Measuring 298.8 meters in length and 48 meters in width, the carrier has a transport capacity of 180,000 cubic meters of LNG. It is fitted with a dual-fuel, low-speed propulsion system, enhancing both efficiency and environmental performance.
To support the vessel’s smooth departure, border inspection officers completed clearance procedures in advance, allowing the ship to leave safely and on time by utilizing favorable tidal conditions.
Lu Jinlong, manager of the large LNG carrier program at China Merchants Heavy Industry (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd., said the company has already received orders for six vessels of this type. The remaining five are currently being built, with the second ship expected to be delivered within the next three months.
LNG carriers are specially designed to transport natural gas in liquid form at temperatures as low as minus 163 degrees Celsius. Due to their advanced technology and complex construction requirements, they are often referred to as “the crown jewel” of the shipbuilding industry, a sector traditionally dominated by only a few major global shipbuilders.
