China issued in 2015 four stamps to honour their shipbuilding industry, one of this stamp depicts a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tanker.
Comparing the stamp with photo’s she is one of 6 LNG carriers built from 2008.
I will give the details of the first built, the DAPENG SUN, she was the first LNG carrier built in China. The last the SHEN HAI was delivered in 2012.
Built under yard No H1308A by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Shanghai for Yeu Peng LNG Shipping Co. Ltd. Hong Kong, China, the five sisters were built on the same yard with the same details.
25 December 2002 ordered.
28 June 2005 laid down.
28 December 2005 launched as the DAPENG SUN five sisters the DAPENG MOON, DAPING STAR, MIN RONG, MIN LU and SHEN HAI.
Tonnage 97,871 grt, 29,361 net, 83,050 dwt. Dim. 291.50 x 43.35 x 26.25m. length bpp. 274.10m.
Powered by a Kawasaki UA-400 Type Cross Compound Impulse Turbine, 13,540 kW, one shaft, speed ?
Cargo capacity 147,000 cubic metre, about 70,000 ton of LNG.
03 April 2008 completed with homeport Hong Kong. Building cost US$160 million..
The ship is on a long charter from Australia to Guangdong Province’s Dapeng, China. She will make about two voyages a month.
2015 In service, same name and owners, IMO No 9308479.
After 2012 there were more LNG tankers built in China, she were larger and the funnel colours were different.
China 2015 $1.20 sg?, scott?
Source: http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz. American Bureau of Shipping. http://www.equasis.org