Norwegian classification society DNV said it had launched a Shanghai-based team to support key stakeholders amid growth in the LNG carrier and LNG fuel markets in China.
China’s shipbuilding industry has made “great progress” in recent years, scaling up its value chains to more advanced and complex vessels, including the construction of LNG-powered ships and a growing number of LNG carriers, DNV said in a statement.
The DNV Gas Carrier and Alternative Fuels Expert Team, which consists of nine experts, will be led by Torill Osberg, who has over 25 years of experience in the gas carrier and alternative fuels sectors, according to DNV.
Located in DNV’s Shanghai Office, the team’s collective experience covers gas carriers and alternative fuels competence in ship arrangements, piping, fire safety, electrical/ control systems, and structure disciplines, the firm said.
“Our new team will be supported by DNV’s global expertise and technical experts, including the Hovik and Hamburg offices,” said DNV’s global technical director, Geir Dugstad.
“The industry is moving East. Asia will play an increasingly important role in transforming the energy and marine industries, and DNV’s initiative demonstrates our readiness to support our customers in these transitions,” he added.
Hudong-Zhonghua, China’s biggest LNG carrier shipbuilder, has won many LNG carrier orders this year from domestic firms and also related to the giant QatarEnergy program.
In addition, Jiangnan, DSIC, and Yangzijiang won their first large LNG carrier orders this year, joining Hudong-Zhonghua.
These four shipyards and other Chinese yards have already built or have on order a large number of LNG-powered vessels as well, including the giant CMA CGM LNG-powered containerships.