VESSEL REVIEW | Zhong Ran Changjiang 1 – Bunkering barge to support Yangtze River LNG distribution effort

The China Gas Group, through subsidiary China Gas Hubei Fudi Fujiang Energy Technology, has taken delivery of an inland waterways-capable LNG bunkering barge built by local shipyard Polytechnic Shipbuilding (Ezhou).

Named Zhong Ran Changjiang 1 ("China Gas Yangtze River 1"), the newbuild has an LOA of 89.85 metres, a beam of 16 metres, a depth of 3.1 metres, and LNG and diesel storage tanks with capacities of 300 cubic metres and 530 cubic metres, respectively. As a bunkering vessel, it will supply both LNG and light diesel with a flashpoint greater than 60 degrees Celsius.

The introduction of the bunkering barge into operational service is part of a pilot demonstration project of China Gas and the Chinese Ministry of Transport seeking to establish an LNG fuel supply distribution network that will serve vessels transiting the Yangtze River.

Another bunkering barge of similar dimensions and capacities will be built, and these will operate in conjunction with two 5,000-tonne LNG filling jetties at Ezhou Port in eastern Hubei province. Once completed, the entire project will have a total storage capacity of 2,000 cubic metres and a daily bunkering volume of 240 cubic metres, which is equivalent to a total annual bunkering output of around 38,200 tonnes.