On February 2, the 21st International Conference & Exhibition on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG 2026) grandly taking place in Doha, Qatar. Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, made a grand appearance at the exhibition with eight major high-end LNG equipment, including a 271,000 m³ ultra-large LNG carrier and a future low-carbon intelligent LNG carrier.
It is worth noting that Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding unveiled three new-generation LNG transportation and receiving equipment at the exhibition, which are independently developed, green, low-carbon, efficient and intelligent. The three types of vessels successfully obtained Approval in Principle (AIP) certificates from the five major international classification societies: American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), Bureau Veritas (BV), China Classification Society (CCS), Det Norske Veritas (DNV), and Lloyd’s Register (LR), once again demonstrating the company’s leading capabilities in core technologies across the entire LNG industry chain.
From the fifth-generation “Changheng Series” LNG carriers to green intelligent gas carriers, multiple flagship vessel designs captured the spotlight at the exhibition. Featuring cutting-edge low-carbon energy-saving technologies, outstanding performance metrics and comprehensive lifecycle service capabilities, these vessels drew numerous partners to engage in discussions, sparking a wave of collaborative exchanges on-site and showcasing the global influence of China’s shipbuilding industry.
The newly developed 201,000 m³ LNG carrier has been officially named “P-Flex,” signifying its superior navigation capabilities through the new Panama Canal and bringing more flexible route options to the global LNG transportation network.
P-Flex fully integrates three core objectives—ship-shore compatibility, low energy consumption and full-lifecycle decarbonization—achieving multiple performance breakthroughs including: increased cargo capacity, reduced energy consumption per unit, lower carbon emissions, more flexible cargo hold layouts and enhanced ship-shore compatibility.
To meet the rapidly growing demand in the global ethane transportation market, Hudong-Zhonghua has launched a new 150,000 m³ ULCE (Ultra Large Ethane Carrier), perfectly compatible with the largest known ethane terminals such as Morgan’s Point and Nederland in the United States.
Compared to the 98,000 m³ VLEC, the 150,000 m³ ULEC offers a 53% increase in cargo capacity, significantly enhancing single-vessel efficiency. Energy consumption per unit is reduced by 33%, achieving a leap in energy savings per unit of cargo transported and helping customers achieve efficient, low-carbon operations. Equipped with LNG-Ready capabilities, both the hull structure and cryogenic piping systems are designed with upgrade potential, enabling future conversion into LNG carriers. Additionally, the vessel is equipped with a more environmentally friendly propulsion system and features a lower evaporation rate.
The newly developed 174,000 m³ LNG FSRU (Floating Storage and Regasification Unit) features a dual-function design that allows flexible conversion into an LNG carrier (LNGC), significantly enhancing asset utilization efficiency and investment return.
This FSRU design fully aligns with the global trend toward “plug-and-play, rapid deployment” for shore-based receiving terminals, making it an ideal choice for future offshore energy hub construction. Equipped with a DFDE single-propeller propulsion system, it meets the dual operational requirements of both FSRU and LNG carrier functions, enabling “dual-purpose operation.” Additionally, it offers the advantage of no loading level restrictions and features environmentally friendly generator sets, an intelligent mooring monitoring system, and an expandable regasification system.
Leading the green transition, co-creating the future of energy. With “green, intelligent, efficient and compatible” as its core philosophy, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding continues to drive independent innovation in high-end equipment across the entire LNG industry chain. The three new ship designs unveiled at LNG2026 not only showcase the formidable strength of China’s shipbuilding technology but also contribute a Chinese solution to the global energy transition and carbon neutrality goals.