On September 26, the naming and delivery ceremony of Vessel KONGTONG, the sixth COSCO Shipping and PetroChina National LNG Project vessel was held in Shanghai. Attendees included Wu Junli, Deputy Chief Economist of China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and Executive Director of PetroChina International, Zhu Maijin, Managing Director of COSCO SHIPPING Energy, Weng Hongbing, General Manager of Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard, as well as representatives from China Shipowners Mutual Assurance Association, financing banks, the Hong Kong Marine Department, China Classification Society, and other guests. Ms. Mu Xiuping, General Manager of CNPC’s Finance Department, officiated the ribbon-cutting ceremony to christen the new vessel.

Since 2022, PetroChina International has collaborated with COSCO SHIPPING Energy and Hudong-Zhonghua Shipyard to leverage the combined strengths of a “major charterer, powerful shipowner, and advanced shipyard”. Together, they launched China’s first LNG transportation project fully developed under a domestic framework. This groundbreaking initiative includes the construction of eight cutting-edge LNG carriers, each with a capacity of 174,000 cubic meters. The project sets a new benchmark for cooperation in China’s LNG supply chain and represents a major milestone in advancing the nation’s integrated energy industry.

Since the launch of the project, the pre-project vessels of Vessel SHAOLIN, Vessel WUDANG, Vessel KUNLUN, Vessel EMEI, and Vessel HUASHAN have been in stable operation. These vessels have completed the ship-to-shore matching in more than 70 ports around the world, efficiently transporting over three million tons of LNG cargo.

The addition of the VESSEL KONGTONG to the fleet marks a significant milestone. As part of the “Six Great Sects” series, the vessels will continue to deliver high-quality, safe transportation services, playing a critical role in ensuring a stable energy supply during the winter and spring seasons. This achievement also serves as a tribute to the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

The VESSEL KONGTONG measures 295.0 meters in length, 45.0 meters in width, and 26.25 meters in depth. It is powered by the latest WINGD XDF series dual-fuel, low-speed propulsion system, which offers enhanced performance and lower energy consumption. With daily fuel usage kept below 100 tons, it sets a new standard for efficiency among large LNG carriers.

The vessel is equipped with advanced environmental protection devices, including the first-ever application of the LPSCR system in its main engine. This innovative technology significantly reduces emissions in both gas and oil operating modes, ensuring compliance with the strictest emission standards of the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It also meets the sulfur oxide limits outlined in MARPOL Annex VI and adheres to the nitrogen oxide Tier III regulations. For the first time, the vessel employs parallel compressor technology, which optimizes the use of boil-off gas (BOG) from its cargo tanks. This breakthrough enhances BOG utilization efficiency by approximately 30% compared to other delivered vessels. With its superior technical performance, environmental metrics, and reliability, the vessel sets a world-class standard in LNG transportation.