The GREENERGY RIVER, China's first LNG carrier for CNOOC, is set to begin operations, marking a significant milestone in LNG transport.
The Chinese-made GREENERGY RIVER is preparing for duty for CNOOC.
The 174,000 cubic meter GREENERGY RIVER, named at Hudong-Zhonghua, has become the first member of a six-vessel LNG carrier series that will be operated by HUAJING LNG TRANSPORT for CNOOC. The vessel is planned to primarily transport LNG procured by the CNOOC Group from global suppliers to China starting from August.
HUAJING LNG TRANSPORT (HLT), in partnership with the Japanese shipping group NYK, has named the new LNG carrier GREENERGY RIVER, which is being built for the Chinese state energy company CNOOC Group. The naming ceremony took place on August 4 at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding facility where the ship is being constructed.
According to NYK's announcement, GREENERGY RIVER is the first of a six-vessel series that HLT will deploy for CNOOC Gas and Power Singapore Trading & Marketing. It is also described as the first LNG carrier built in China and allocated to a Chinese customer under a long-term charter agreement in which NYK is a partner.
The vessel has a capacity of 174,000 cubic meters and features an approximate length of 299 meters and a width of 46.4 meters. The main engine is the X-DF 2.1 iCER dual-fuel low-speed diesel engine, which can utilize boil-off gas generated in the cargo tanks along with fuel oil. This design aims to reduce emissions through the re-utilization of gas as fuel and more efficient sailing.
In HLT's partnership structure, besides NYK, there are subsidiaries from CNOOC SG, CETS Investment Management, and China Merchants Energy Shipping. The technical operation of the vessel will be undertaken by OPearl LNG Ship Management, established by NYK, CMES, and CETS. NYK reported that the vessel is planned to primarily transport LNG procured by the CNOOC Group from global suppliers to China starting from August.
The company announcement reveals the naming and operational readiness phase; it does not contain a separate and clear final delivery announcement. Therefore, the phrase 'preparing for duty' should be preferred in the news headline instead of 'delivered.'
Maritime impact: The project combines the advancement of Chinese shipyards in the high-value-added LNG carrier market with Japanese operational experience and China's long-term energy supply. The six-vessel series has the potential to create long-term business volume for LNG ship management, trained officers, and specialized maintenance-equipment supply.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
