أنجزت شركة داليان لصناعة السفنChinese landmark delivery milestone in LNG carrier construction with the handover of the "C Energy" LNG carrier. This vessel represents the first in a new series of second-generation LNG carriers built for China Merchants Energy Shipping.
"C Energy" boasts a cargo capacity of 175,000 cubic meters. The vessel was designed and constructed by Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co. (DSIC), while the China Classification Society (CCS) provided survey services throughout the project lifecycle.
The delivery ceremony was attended by representatives from China Merchants Group, the Hong Kong government, PetroChina, Dalian Maritime University, and the shipbuilder itself. Also present was Zhang Hui, General Manager of CCS's Dalian branch.
The vessel features an advanced design, utilizing the Mark 3 Flex containment system. Its equipment includes dual-fuel main engines and generators, a traditional oil-fired boiler, a cargo handling system, and an LNG re-liquefaction unit. The design builds upon the experience gained from the first generation of 175,000 cubic meter LNG carriers.
DSIC implemented numerous technical improvements and refined the hull form. These modifications aim to enhance fuel efficiency and operational flexibility. The ship is also designed to operate at a wide range of LNG terminals and can safely berth at most LNG facilities worldwide.
According to CCS, "C Energy" was the first vessel in the program to employ block construction. This approach allowed the shipyard to begin installing the cargo containment system earlier in the build process, significantly reducing the overall construction timeline. CCS adapted its survey procedures to support this advanced work.
The classification society collaborated with the shipowner, shipyard, and other project parties to monitor construction and optimize production procedures. CCS continues to support the future vessels in the production series.
This delivery marks the latest collaboration between CCS, DSIC, and China Merchants Energy Shipping in the large LNG carrier sector. CCS has stated its intention to enhance its capabilities to support the construction of large LNG carriers on a wider scale.
In a separate incident, the container ship MSC Silvana VIII, with a capacity of 8,401 TEU, sank in waters off Zhoushan, China, after attempts to refloat it failed. Local media showed images of a significant portion of the vessel submerged.
The 332-meter-long, 20-year-old vessel entered the Zhoushan ship repair zone on June 22, arriving from Gwangyang, South Korea. Navigational reports indicate it encountered difficulties and ran aground when Typhoon Bavi struck Zhejiang province in mid-last month. Subsequent refloating efforts failed, and the stern sank, with water flooding several cargo holds and the engine room. Approximately 3,000 tons of fuel were extracted.
Salvage operations now face another threat from an approaching typhoon, according to navigational reports.
This delivery of a next-generation LNG carrier underscores the accelerating pace of fleet renewal within the global maritime shipping sector, a trend with direct implications for energy import logistics and port operations. Advanced vessel designs like the "C Energy" promise greater efficiency and flexibility, factors that ultimately influence the cost and reliability of seaborne trade.