China delivers largest offshore LNG facility, sets local coastal towing record

China's independently developed offshore floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility, the largest in the country by both tonnage and gas storage capacity, was delivered in Nantong City, east China's Jiangsu Province on Sunday.

The facility, named NGUYA FLNG, measures 376 meters in length, 60 meters in width and 35 meters in depth. It boasts an LNG storage capacity of 180,000 cubic meters and a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage capacity of 45,000 cubic meters, with an annual LNG production capacity of 2.4 million tonnes.

NGUYA FLNG is set to operate off the coast of the Republic of the Congo in Africa, marking a significant milestone in China's manufacturing of high value-added marine engineering equipment.

Due to the facility's unique design, large hull and the complex navigational conditions, the Nantong Maritime Safety Administration conducted extensive safety assessments after the departure ceremony on August 26. The towing plan was optimized to account for tidal fluctuations, ensuring the successful completion of the offshore towing operation on Sunday.

The operation involved a towing fleet of 14 patrol boats and tugboats, eight law enforcement officers and three drones. The combined towing fleet stretched 740 meters, setting a new record for coastal towing operations in Nantong.