VESSEL REVIEW | Huashan – Large LNG carrier for PetroChina’s gas transportation activities

China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) subsidiary Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding has handed over a new LNG carrier to local owner COSCO Shipping Energy Transportation for operation by PetroChina International (PCI). Classed by both China Classification Society (CCS) and the American Bureau of Shipping, Huashan (华山) is the fifth overall LNG carrier in a series to be built and delivered to PCI.

Large capacity and low-emission operations

As with its earlier sisters Shaolin, Wudang, Kunlun and Emei, the Hong Kong-flagged Huashan has an LOA of 295 metres (968 feet), a moulded beam of 45 metres (150 feet), a design draught of 11.5 metres (37.7 feet), a moulded depth of 26.25 metres (86.12 feet), a gross tonnage of approximately 114,274, a total LNG cargo capacity of 174,000 cubic metres (6.14 million cubic feet), accommodations for 46 crewmembers, and a speed of 19.5 knots. GTT supplied the vessel's LNG fuel tanks.

The ship is equipped with a WinGD XDF dual-fuel, low-speed engine and advanced environmental protection devices such as a selective catalytic reduction system, allowing its fuel consumption and emission levels to meet IMO Tier III NOx and MARPOL Annex VI SOx regulations whether running on LNG or diesel. The daily fuel consumption will be limited to 100 tonnes during regular sailings.

Improved operating efficiency

The ship also adopts compressor parallel technology to make full use of any excess LNG in the cargo tanks. This improves the utilisation rate of LNG by about 30 per cent compared with other ship types currently in operation. The design work that went into the vessel also emphasised efficient loading and the ability to berth safely at a wide range of ports around the world.

Huashan's sea trials prior to delivery were conducted over a period of four days. CCS reported that the ship's daily fuel consumption during the trials decreased from 380 tonnes to 180 tonnes.