China delivered its first domestically developed new large liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier to an international customer in Shanghai on Monday, marking a significant advancement in the country's shipbuilding industry.
This vessel, featuring cutting-edge cargo containment systems, fills a crucial gap in China's shipbuilding capabilities in this domain.
Constructed by the Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, the vessel utilizes the latest third-generation membrane containment system for storing liquefied natural gas.
This technology reduces the insulation and shielding layer thickness from 530mm to 400mm, allowing for increased cargo capacity compared to the previous models. The new design also minimizes cargo evaporation during transport, enhancing safety and promoting energy efficiency, meeting international standards. "This vessel epitomizes the internationally prevalent membrane-type LNG cargo hold structure, divided into four compartments capable of meeting a city's one-month LNG demand in a single trip. Given the stringent safety requirements for LNG transport, the ship is equipped with over 10,000 alarm points and is designed for a lifespan of 40 years," said Song Bowen, the chief construction engineer for the LNG carrier at Jiangnan Shipyard.
The delivery marks a breakthrough for China, breaking the previous dominance of foreign shipyards in the construction of this type of LNG carrier. It also enhances China's position in the high-tech, high-value shipbuilding sector.
"With this vessel, China has achieved a zero breakthrough in this field. The successful construction of this LNG carrier will facilitate closer cooperation in energy transportation and marine equipment. Currently, we have a total of eight orders for this model, and we plan to progressively optimize and iterate on the product to introduce more efficient and leading-edge vessels," said Song.
China's first self-developed new large-scale LNG carrier delivered in Shanghai
China's first self-developed new large-scale LNG carrier delivered in Shanghai
Russia claimed strikes on Ukrainian military targets, while Ukraine reported intercepting multiple Russian drones on Monday.
Russia's Defense Ministry on Monday said that over the past 24 hours, Russian troops had struck a Ukrainian military airfield's infrastructure, along with energy and transportation facilities, as well as temporary deployment points of the Ukrainian army and foreign mercenaries.
Russian air defense units intercepted three guided bombs and 72 fixed-wing drones launched by Ukrainian forces.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on the same day that as of Monday afternoon, 74 combat engagements had taken place along the front lines, with most of the fighting concentrated in the Pokrovsk direction.
In addition, Ukraine's Air Force reported having shot down or otherwise intercepted a total of 116 Russian drones between 17:30 on Sunday and 09:30 on Monday.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Monday that Russia will not permit the deployment of any weapons on Ukrainian territory which threaten its security interests. He emphasized, in an interview with Russian media, that Russia must ensure its security in a context where some European nations are threatening war against it.
Regarding diplomacy, Lavrov noted the importance of the United States' position on the Ukraine issue. He said that while Russia had accepted a U.S. proposal for discussions on the issue, the United States was not prepared to accept the relevant suggestions put forward by the Russian side.
Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) stated on Monday that Ukraine and Poland were involved in the attempted assassination of Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev. Alekseyev, a deputy chief of Russia's military intelligence agency, was shot several times inside a residential building in northwest Moscow on Friday.
This followed an earlier announcement by the Russian Investigative Committee's spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko that the two suspects detained for the attack - Lyubomir Korba and Viktor Vasin - had admitted their involvement.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Friday stated that the Ukrainian government was not involved in the attack.
Russia reports attacking Ukraine's military airport, Ukraine says shooting down Russian drones
