Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, the first privately-owned shipbuilding company, obtains GTT technology license

       Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group has reached an important milestone in its entry into the large LNG carrier construction market, obtaining a

Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Signs Licensing Agreement with GTT

On September 8, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group officially signed a patent cooperation agreement for the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) MARK III membrane containment system with the French company GTT (Gaztransport & Technigaz). Anand Iswaran, General Manager of GTT China, Ren Letian, Chairman of Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group, and others attended the signing ceremony and engaged in in-depth and friendly exchanges.

The signing of this agreement marks Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group's official qualification certification from GTT, making it qualified to build large LNG carriers applying the GTT MARK III membrane containment system. Thus, Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group has become the first private shipyard in China's shipbuilding industry to obtain this qualification.

GTT's membrane-type containment system technology is widely used in large LNG carriers, as well as onshore and offshore cargo containment and insulation systems. This system, integrated with the structure of LNG carriers, allows LNG to be stored at low temperatures during sea or land transport and storage. This technology not only provides greater operational flexibility for shipowners but can also adapt to future changes in environmental regulations.

With the rapid expansion of global LNG trade, as of July 1st this year, the proportion of vessel orders adopting GTT's cargo containment system reached a record high of 40% of all vessel orders. Collaboration with GTT can enhance Yangzijiang Shipbuilding's technological value chain, expand the company's service scope for shipowners, and contribute solutions for the development of LNG vessels.

Starting from March 2022, the company began the qualification certification process. Despite delays due to COVID-19 restrictions, the certification process was completed in a very short time and successfully obtained GTT's certification license. This certification process included building a mock-up containment tank, which was then audited and certified by GTT and relevant classification societies.

During the construction of the mock-up tank, GTT technical experts and relevant classification society experts provided comprehensive guidance on the construction process and quality control. Jiangsu Yak and Ningbo Kairong Company, as pioneers in the development of key materials and components for China's Mark III cargo containment system, provided important supporting and engineering service guarantees. Facing a new technological field they had never entered before, the construction personnel of the Yangzi Xinfu Shipbuilding mock-up tank project were enthusiastic, full of drive, and deeply explored their potential. They tirelessly and humbly sought advice from technical experts and service providers, striving to master independent construction capabilities as soon as possible.

On September 8, the completion certification and awarding ceremony for the LNG MARK III membrane containment system mock-up tank was held at Yangzi Xinfu.

Anand Iswaran, General Manager of GTT China; Song Aimin, General Manager of ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) Central China; Christophe VAES, Newbuilding Department Manager of BV (Bureau Veritas); Cai Gao, Director of CCS (China Classification Society) Jiangyin Office; Huang Jin, Global Senior Vice President of DNV Classification Society; Shi Xingtai, General Manager of Operations, Greater China, Lloyd's Register (LR); Masakatsu TSURU, General Manager of NK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai) China (Limited) Shanghai Branch, and others visited the site and attended the ceremony.

Yang Xueyan, General Manager of Yangzi Xinfu, received the certification certificate on behalf of the company from Anand Iswaran, General Manager of GTT China.

Zhou Kewei, Vice General Manager of Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group, accepted the certification certificates on behalf of the company from ABS, BV, CCS, DNV, LR, and NK classification societies.

Ren Letian, Chairman and CEO of Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Group, stated:

The current focus of Yangzijiang Shipbuilding's strategy is to achieve performance in the LNG sector and better meet the growing demand for green vessels in the future. We recently received an order from Pacific International Lines for four 8,000 TEU dual-fuel LNG-powered container ships, which will be equipped with GTT Mark III membrane-type containment tanks.
 
Philippe Berterottiere, Chairman and CEO of GTT, pointed out: