Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co Ltd, a subsidiary of China Shipbuilding Group based in Shanghai's Pudong New Area, delivered the LIMAIL, a 174,000-cubic-meter large liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier on Jan 17, four months ahead of schedule.

LIMAIL, a 174,000-cubic-meter large LNG carrier, is delivered in Shanghai on Jan 17. [Photo/WeChat ID: pdnews]

Built in collaboration with China Shipbuilding Trading Co Ltd for Qatar Energy LNG, this vessel marks the beginning of a busy delivery year for LNG ships and signifies Hudong-Zhonghua's commitment to doubling its LNG shipbuilding capacity.

The LIMAIL is an LNG carrier independently designed by Hudong-Zhonghua, tailored specifically for Qatar Energy's fleet of the world's largest LNG ships. The ship is 299 meters long, 46.4 meters wide, and 26.25 meters deep and comes equipped with low-carbon and digital technologies. It has been classified by both the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and China Classification Society (CCS).

In 2024, Hudong-Zhonghua utilized a new model of side-by-side and semi-tandem construction in the dock, significantly boosting construction efficiency and setting a new record in annual LNG ship deliveries by a Chinese shipyard. With nearly 60 LNG ship orders in hand, accounting for over 20 percent of the global market share, Hudong-Zhonghua has established itself as a trailblazer in the global ultra-large LNG ship sector.

In 2025, Hudong-Zhonghua plans to deliver over 10 large LNG ships, potentially setting another record. With 19 LNG ships under construction, the company aims to expand its production scale, enhance production efficiency, and maintain synchronized growth in both efficiency and benefits.