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ABS is working with China’s classification society, CCS, on dual classification of the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers built in China.  Five carriers total are building at China’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.  The contract signals an increased level of sophistication for China yards. 

China’s aggressive building campaign now has the nation building 17 percent of all ships worldwide based on deadweight tonnage.  ABS is the dominant class society in China with a 37 percent share of the total Chinese shipbuilding orderbook. 

“There has been an unprecedented effort by owners, the shipyard, class societies, designers and major contractors representing a wide spectrum of LNG expertise to work together to make these carriers world class vessels,” commented ABS’ China Country Manager Wingkee Ho. 

The first of these vessels delivers by the end of this year and the second vessel is due for delivery in early 2008.  The 147,000m3 carriers are designed with the Gaz Transport Technigaz (GTT)-Membrane No.96 containment system and are powered by traditional steam turbines.