On September 2, the 174,000 cbm LNG carriers Puteri Kelantan and Puteri Negeri Sembilan, built by Hudong‑Zhonghua Shipbuilding for PETRONAS Petroliam Nasional Berhad, were jointly named in a ceremony, signaling the imminent and successful completion of the PETRONAS project.
Hudong-Zhonghua stated that the two vessels named on this occasion are both part of the fifth-generation “Changheng” series of LNG carriers, incorporating advanced hydrodynamic optimization technology that balances high-efficiency navigation performance with versatile operational adaptability.
Both vessels are equipped with custom-designed noise-reduction systems capable of effectively reducing noise from fans and exhaust pipes. This unique design enables them to meet the strict noise control requirements at Toyama New Port Terminal in Japan, thereby ensuring that the charterer, Malaysian Petroleum, can continue to provide stable and reliable LNG transportation services to its long-term partner, Hokuriku Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
At the same time, the vessels in this project have innovatively achieved the full-range installation of domestically produced cryogenic valves—independently developed by Hudong-Zhonghua—in the core systems of the liquid cargo tanks. The cryogenic valves passed commissioning and validation with zero defects throughout the entire process, earning unanimous praise from the shipowner, the classification society, and the project team. This has effectively resolved supply chain bottlenecks and driven a major breakthrough in China’s capacity to domestically produce and supply key equipment for LNG carriers.
The vessels built by Hudong-Zhonghua for PETRONAS are not only carriers of the world’s energy but also a testament to the friendship between China and Malaysia.
The partnership between Hudong-Zhonghua and PETRONAS began in January 2020, when Hudong-Zhonghua was awarded a contract to build two of the world’s largest 79,900 cbm LNG carriers designed for shallow navigation for a Malaysian LNG project, with an additional vessel added later. Following their delivery, the three “Legend” series LNG carriers were deployed on the Malaysia–Shanghai route, transporting over 2.2 million tons of LNG annually from Bintulu Port in Malaysia to Shanghai, providing a steady supply of clean energy to support Shanghai’s economic development and urban construction.
The four 174,000 cbm LNG carriers that have now been completed were contracted in April 2022. In April 2026, the project’s first vessel “Johor Princess”, and the second vessel, the “Kedah Princess”, were named five months ahead of schedule and, following delivery, were deployed on the Malaysia-to-China route.
In 2026, Hudong-Zhonghua continued its strong partnership with PETRONAS, signing a contract with Malaysia International Shipping Corporation (MISC Berhad, a PETRONAS-controlled company) to build 5+5 174,000 cbm LNG carriers and one 18,700 cbm LNG carrier. These vessels will be chartered on a long-term basis by PETRONAS for global LNG transportation.