On October 16, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), together with China Shipbuilding Trading Co., Ltd. (CSTC), formally signed a contract with Malaysia International Shipping Corporation (MISC) for the construction of five 174,000 m³ large liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.
The 174,000 m³ LNG carrier covered by this contract is part of Hudong-Zhonghua’s fifth-generation “Changheng Series,” which the company developed independently. The vessel is equipped with the NO.96 Super+ cargo containment system, which complies with the latest provisions of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk and the relevant emission reduction requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Based on MISC’s previous disclosures, upon delivery, this fleet of LNG carriers will provide long-term charter services to Malaysia National Petroleum LNG Limited (PLL). Each LNG carrier will be chartered for a fixed term of 20 years and is expected to begin operations in 2030; MISC will provide the LNG transportation services through its wholly-owned subsidiary.
The five newly contracted vessels mark the fourth collaboration between MISC and Hudong-Zhonghua in the LNG carrier market this year, bringing the total number of vessels contracted by the two parties this year to 11+5.
On January 30, MISC and Hudong-Zhonghua signed a contract for 3+3 174,000 m³ LNG carriers, with delivery scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2029; on February 27, the two parties signed another contract for 2+2 174,000 m³ LNG carriers; and in late July, they continued their collaboration with a new ship type, signing a contract for one 18,700 m³ small LNG carrier.
According to records, MISC was established in 1968 as a subsidiary of PETRONAS. It has since grown into a comprehensive shipping group with a diverse range of maritime operations and is a major player in the shipping and energy maritime services sectors in Southeast Asia and globally. MISC’s fleet currently operates 31 LNG carriers; it also has 20 vessels under construction, 16 of which are LNG carriers (11 being built by Hudong-Zhonghua and 5 by Samsung Heavy Industries).
As a pioneer in China’s LNG carrier industry, Hudong-Zhonghua continues to lead in large-scale construction capabilities through its modern smart factories and lean management system. As of October 16 of this year, the company has delivered 9 LNG carriers, bringing its cumulative total to 68.
Including the latest orders, Hudong-Zhonghua’s total order backlog for LNG carriers stands at 57 vessels, accounting for more than 21% of the global market share. It ranks first globally in terms of tank capacity, once again demonstrating its international influence in the global LNG carrier market.