China’s Dalian Shipbuilding (DSIC) continues to progress work on the first LNG-powered VLCC for Cosco Shipping Energy Transportation, a unit of Cosco.
The 333 meters long Yuan Rui Yang left the yard in Dalian on September 3 to start its sea trials, according to DSIC.
With a deadweight of about 319,000 tons, the LNG-powered vessel features WinGD’s dual-fuel propulsion. It also has two 3500-cbm LNG storage tanks, DSIC said.
CSSC’s DSIC claims this vessel is the world’s first LNG-powered very large crude carrier. It should deliver the ship to Cosco Shipping by the end of this year.
Cosco Shipping’s initial order at DSIC included four 319,000-dwt VLLCs but it amended the contract to add LNG power to one of the ships in December 2019. The firm said then the upgrade would cost an additional $6 million.
The shipping giant has a large fleet of oil tankers but also LNG vessels. As of January 20, 2021, the company had a total of 41 jointly-invested LNG vessels, including 38 LNG ships in operation and three under construction, according to Cosco Shipping’s website.