COSCO Shipping launches LPG dual-fuel gas carrier

Chinese state-owned shipping company COSCO Shipping has launched an LPG dual-fuel very large gas carrier (VLGC).

IMAGE: COSCO Shipping’s LPG dual-fuel VLGC Chang Ping Yuan. COSCO Shipping

The 88,000-cbm Chang Ping Yuan can operate on both LPG and conventional marine fuel. The vessel is also equipped with a shaft generator designed to reduce emissions.

COSCO Shipping has not disclosed further details about the vessel, including the shipyard where it was built.

The global fleet of LPG-capable vessels currently stands at 179 ships, with a further 160 vessels scheduled for delivery by 2030, according to classification society DNV. Of the existing fleet, 165 are dedicated LPG carriers, while the remaining 14 can carry both LPG and ammonia.

LPG-capable VLGC orders have also continued to grow. This month, Japanese tanker operator IINO Kaiun Kaisha (IINO Lines) signed a time charter contract with energy and commodities trading group BGN for an LPG dual-fuel VLGC newbuild.

Separately, gas carrier owner Dorian LPG ordered three 90,000-cbm LPG dual-fuel VLGCs from South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean.

By Tuhin Roy

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