Recently, the first 175,000 m³ large liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier “YANGZE LNG 01,” built by Yangzijiang Shipbuilding, successfully completed its maiden commercial cargo voyage on the Oman–Shenzhen international route, marking the successful conclusion of the vessel’s inaugural commercial voyage.
The vessel was independently constructed by Jiangsu Yangzi Xinfu Shipbuilding—a subsidiary of Yangzijiang Shipbuilding—with the group’s shipping center handling commercial operations and safety management.
The new vessel’s maiden voyage proceeded efficiently and smoothly, and it passed the Port State Control (PSC) inspection with zero deficiencies, fully demonstrating its superior build quality and suitability for deep-sea operations. The vessel’s completion and successful entry into regular commercial service mark a significant milestone in Yangzijiang Shipbuilding’s strategic expansion into the large-scale LNG carrier market. The company has become the fourth shipbuilder in China—and the first private enterprise—to enter this sector, thereby significantly strengthening its competitive edge in the manufacturing of high-end, clean-energy vessels.
Large-scale LNG carriers are hailed as the “pearl in the crown” of the shipbuilding industry. They represent one of the most high-end vessel types globally, characterized by the highest technical barriers, the most complex construction processes, and the strictest quality standards; their production serves as a comprehensive test of a company’s capabilities in R&D and manufacturing, system integration, construction management, and safety control. The 175,000 m³ LNG carrier “YANGZE LNG 01,” which has now entered service, stands as a flagship project for Yangzijiang Shipbuilding. It embodies the company’s deep commitment to the clean energy vessel sector, its integration of internal industrial resources, and its drive to foster synergy between its shipbuilding and shipping divisions.
The “YANGZE LNG 01” has an overall length of 297 meters, a beam of 46 meters, and a draft of 26.5 meters, and is classified by Bureau Veritas (BV). The vessel incorporates cutting-edge technologies in the field of shipbuilding; it is safe and reliable, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, and highly intelligent, with many of its performance metrics reaching world-leading levels. The vessel employs a GTT MARK III Flex membrane containment system and is powered by two dual-fuel MAN 5G70ME-C10.5-GA-EGRBP engines. It is also equipped with a 1.5 tons per hour reliquefaction unit and meets the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) most stringent emission standards in both fuel oil and natural gas modes.
The vessel has also been awarded various BV class notations, including LNG Dual-Fuel, Propulsion Redundancy (AVM-DPS), One-Man Bridge (SYS-NEQ-1), Clean Ship, and Green Passport. Furthermore, it features comprehensive systems for intelligent navigation monitoring, safety protection, and cargo monitoring, allowing it to adapt precisely to complex open-ocean conditions and long-term operational scenarios. With industry-leading stability, safety, and economic efficiency, the vessel fully meets the high operational standards of major global LNG cargo owners and charterers.