China’s First 88K VLGC Delivered Early as Qidong Expands into High-End Shipping

The first in a four-ship 88K VLGC series was delivered about three months early, demonstrating Qidong’s move from offshore integration into repeatable gas-carrier construction.

COSCO Shipping (Qidong) Offshore has named and delivered the 88,000-cbm VLGC Chang Ping Yuan, described as China’s first domestically designed and built vessel of this size. The vessel was completed about three months ahead of its contractual schedule.

The LPG dual-fuel carrier has four independent Type A cargo tanks and can carry LPG, ammonia and other liquefied gases. It forms the lead vessel in a four-ship 88K VLGC series for the owner group.

From first-of-class delivery to repeatable production

Large gas carriers demand capability across low-temperature materials and welding, independent cargo tanks, cargo handling, fuel supply and gas trials. An early first-of-class delivery matters because it establishes a design, procurement and production basis that can be repeated across the remaining three vessels.

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions is supplying the cargo-handling and fuel-supply systems for all four ships, including engineering, equipment, instrumentation, electrical and control systems, commissioning and gas-trial support. The arrangement illustrates the combination of yard-led vessel integration with specialised global equipment suppliers that is standard in large gas-carrier construction.

For Qidong, the programme also signals a broader product mix. The yard retains major offshore work while adding VLGCs and crude tankers to its energy-shipping portfolio. The subsequent deliveries will show whether the initial result can be translated into consistent series production.