![Photo: China Classification Society](http://media.assettype.com/bairdmaritime%2Fimport%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2FPhoto-China-Classification-Society1-1.jpg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
A new LNG bunkering barge has begun operating in the waters of the Three Gorges Reservoir in Hubei province in central China.
Designed and built in compliance to China Classification Society (CCS) rules, Zhongyi 001 was developed as part of a joint pilot project by the Chinese Ministry of Transport and the Hubei provincial government with the goal of increasing the availability of LNG as a fuel for maritime transport that passes through the Yangtze River.
The barge has an LOA of 90 metres, a beam of 16 metres, a depth of three metres, and a design draught of 1.2 metres. Up to 500 cubic metres of LNG can be stored in the onboard cargo tanks.
The vessel will be used for bunkering of both LNG and conventional fuel oil with a flash point greater than 60 degrees Celsius to ships at berth. Cargo tanks are also fitted to enable the barge to transport recovered sewage from other vessels.
Zhongyi 001 is being operated by Hubei Three Gorges Zhongyi New Energy. Construction took place at Damen Yichang Shipyard.
Zhongyi 001 | |
SPECIFICATIONS | |
Type of vessel: | Bunkering barge |
Classification: | China Classification Society |
Flag: | China |
Owner: | Hubei Three Gorges Zhongyi New Energy, China |
Builder: | Damen Yichang Shipyard, China |
Length overall: | 90 metres |
Beam: | 16 metres |
Draught: | 1.2 metres |
Depth: | 3.0 metres |
Capacity: | 500 cubic metres |
Operational area: | Hubei, China |