Recently, Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “CIMC SOE”) achieved a major milestone—the world’s first 3,000-cubic-meter liquid ammonia fuel tank (Project No. T198), developed for the 210,000-ton ammonia-fueled bulk carrier commissioned by Qingdao Shuangrui and Beihai Shipyard, was successfully loaded and shipped, heading to the shipyard. This marks a historic breakthrough for CIMC SOE in the manufacturing of key equipment for clean energy vessels.
It is reported that the successfully delivered liquid ammonia fuel tank is the first of its kind globally to be designed, built, and delivered as a large-scale marine liquid ammonia fuel storage solution. The project comprises 10 ship sets, with each set equipped with two independent Type C tanks, each with a design capacity of 3,000 cubic meters. Both the scale and the welding performance of the materials represent the industry’s highest standards. As a highly promising “zero-carbon” marine fuel, liquid ammonia produces no carbon dioxide during combustion, making its large-scale application one of the key pathways for the shipping industry to achieve the emission reduction targets set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The successful delivery of these liquid ammonia fuel tanks lays a solid equipment foundation for the commercial operation of ammonia-fueled vessels.
As the first ship set of the world’s pioneering project, the development of Project T198 faced unprecedented challenges. The project team shouldered the groundbreaking responsibility of moving from “0 to 1,” tackling multiple technical hurdles such as the application of new materials, complex welding processes, precise heating control, and stringent safety regulations. Leveraging solid technical expertise and a rigorous work ethic, the team successfully overcame a series of critical bottlenecks in materials and processes, ultimately delivering the first tank on time with high quality. This not only serves as a strong testament to CIMC SOE’s engineering design and manufacturing capabilities but also exemplifies the team’s spirit of innovation, responsibility, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
With the global shipping industry’s growing urgency for green and low-carbon transformation, the market for vessels powered by new clean fuels such as ammonia, hydrogen, and methanol is set to experience significant growth. Building on the successful delivery of the world’s first liquid ammonia fuel tank, CIMC SOE will continue to increase R&D investment and technological innovation in the field of clean energy storage and transportation equipment. By enhancing core competitiveness and delivery capabilities, the company is committed to providing global customers with safer, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly offshore solutions. Together with industry partners, CIMC SOE will drive the green and sustainable development of the shipping industry, contributing “CIMC Power” to safeguarding our blue oceans and skies!
