On 30 January 2023, Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., (“CIMC Pacific Offshore”), a subsidiary of CIMC Enric, started to build an IMO independent Type-B liquid cargo tank for Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd (“Hudong-Zhonghua”), a subsidiary of China Shipbuilding Group, which will become the largest LNG Type-B liquid cargo tank in China. The cutting ceremony of this project was successfully held in the workshop of CIMC Pacific Offshore in Qidong City, Jiangsu Province.
The B-type liquid cargo tank under construction has two liquid cargo tanks in one ship, and is currently the largest LNG B-type liquid cargo tank in China. After completion, it will be installed on a 14,000 cubic metre LNG refuelling vessel. The vessel is certified by China Classification Society (CCS) and adopts a design with fully independent intellectual property rights, which can achieve the dual functions of one-stop LNG refuelling and transportation directly between the river and the sea.
It is understood that the Type-B tank is prismatic in shape and has a capacity of approximately 6,950m³ for each tank. Compared with the traditional Type-C tank, the Type-B tank has the advantages of high utilisation rate and flexible design.
In order to adapt to the special structural form of the Type-B tank, CIMC Pacific Offshore has completed the detailed design of the internal outfitting platform, piping system arrangement and stress analysis through the full cooperation of the project team, and prepared the segmentation, assembly process, welding process of key nodes and the precision control procedure of section and block assembly to ensure the smooth construction of the Type-B tank. In addition, the modular construction method used in the Type-B tank, such as section construction and block assembly, can significantly reduce the construction period.
The undertaking of this IMO independent B-type liquid cargo tank project is a milestone for CIMC Pacific Offshore in the process of developing a wide range of LNG containment systems, successfully expanding the Company’s product line and greatly enhancing its market competitiveness. In the future, CIMC Pacific Offshore will continue to cultivate the field of liquefied gas storage and transportation, and provide flexible and diverse products and services to global customers with professional and efficient facilities and a highly skilled and experienced team.
