On October 16, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), delivered the “Al Fanar,” a large 174,000 m³ LNG carrier. This vessel is the 11th LNG carrier Hudong-Zhonghua has built and delivered for QatarEnergy.
The “Al Fanar” is based on Hudong-Zhonghua’s independently developed fifth-generation “Changheng Series” 174,000 m³ LNG vessel design, which was custom-built in strict accordance with the operational standards of QatarEnergy’s world-class LNG fleet. The design draws on Hudong-Zhonghua’s years of technical expertise in the research, development, and construction of LNG vessels, integrating cutting-edge design concepts, high-end equipment, and green, intelligent technologies to deliver both outstanding environmental performance and robust technical adaptability.
The vessel has an overall length of 299 meters, a beam of 46.4 meters, and a draft of 26.25 meters. Its hull features a new-generation optimized double-rudder design and integrates multiple low-carbon, energy-efficient technologies along with a digital operations and maintenance platform. The vessel boasts excellent speed performance, a lightweight structural design, and outstanding comprehensive energy consumption metrics; it also features exceptional ship-to-shore compatibility, convenient and efficient operations and maintenance, and high compatibility with liquid cargo systems across multiple routes. The vessel is classed by both the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the China Classification Society (CCS), and its overall performance ranks among the best in the industry.
As a leading shipbuilder in the large LNG carrier sector, Hudong-Zhonghua has delivered a total of 68 LNG carriers. From achieving large-scale production of its 174,000 m³ Classic Series vessels to the successful launch of the world’s largest 271,000 m³ QC-MAX ultra-large LNG carrier project, Hudong-Zhonghua has continued to expand its LNG carrier business portfolio and deepen strategic partnerships across multiple fronts.