Bureau Veritas Grants AiPs to Jiangnan Shipyard for Advanced LNG and FLNG Designs 

Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co., Ltd. (Jiangnan Shipyard) has earlier received Approvals in Principle (AiPs) from Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) for two advanced designs — an LNG carrier and an FLNG unit — based on its independently developed “Brilliance II” Type B tank technology.

The 175,000 cubic meter LNG carrier awarded AiP adopts the Brilliance® II containment system. It features no filling limitations and significantly enhanced inherent safety. With high cargo tank utilization, construction and material costs are substantially reduced, while increased cargo capacity and a lower Boil-Off Rate (BOR) improve overall efficiency. A reduced number of equipment items further enhances cost-effectiveness and economics.

The primary barrier of the system is constructed from 5083-O aluminum alloy, enabling more automated and efficient shipbuilding while also meeting the requirements for carrying liquid ammonia. The design also incorporates Jiangnan’s self-developed “PnF-COMBi” insulation system, distinguished by its customizable BOR. The sloshing performance enhanced 175K LNGC provides additional advantages, including the ability to transport heavier liquefied cargoes such as liquid ammonia, a reduction in the number of cargo tanks from four to three, and larger tank capacity. The vessel was assessed in line with BV Rules, as well as other safety and sustainability requirements.

Hu Keyi, Director of the Science and Technology Committee, Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co., Ltd. (Left), and Carlos Guerrero Pozuelo, Global Market Leader - Gas Carriers, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore 

The second design awarded AiP is a 220,000 cubic meter FLNG unit, independently developed by Jiangnan Shipyard with a Type B tank system also based on the “Brilliance II” technology. For this offshore facility design, BV conducted a review based on its latest rules, confirming its compliance with the core class notation requirements, and environmental and operational notation standards.

Both designs are founded on Jiangnan Shipyard’s independently developed “Brilliance II” Type B tank technology. This breakthrough demonstrates the company’s sustained investment and accumulated expertise in LNG containment innovation, providing vital support for the advancement of LNG transportation and offshore liquefaction solutions.

Cover photo caption: 
Hu Keyi, Director of the Science and Technology Committee, Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co., Ltd. (Left), and Bill Chen, Deputy Chief Executive, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore China