Jiangnan Shipyard Secures Class Approvals for New Type B LNG FSRU

Jiangnan Shipyard has received approvals from five classification societies for a new 175,000-cbm LNG Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU) design. The vessel features the shipbuilder’s proprietary Type B LNG containment tanks, signaling a strategic move to compete in the high-specification gas infrastructure market with domestic technology.

The choice of Type B tanks for a large-scale FSRU is a significant technical development. While membrane systems are common in the LNG carrier sector, Type B tanks offer distinct advantages for floating storage and regasification operations. Their inherent resistance to sloshing allows for unrestricted filling levels, providing the operational flexibility required when an FSRU is partially discharged during regasification cycles.

By securing approvals from five different societies, Jiangnan has positioned the design for broad international acceptance. This multi-class validation suggests the shipbuilder is targeting a global client base, offering a technical alternative to the standard designs that have historically dominated the sector. The development underscores the increasing capability of Chinese yards to deliver complex, high-value offshore energy assets using independent containment technology.

Source: LNG Prime