CSSC kicks off build of first ultra-large 271,000-m³ LNG carrier

China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) subsidiary Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding has begun building a series of two dozen ultra-large LNG carriers (LNGCs) with the official steel-cutting ceremony on the first vessel. 

Each of the 271,000-m³ QC-Max vessels will be 344 m long and all are part of Qatar’s massive LNGC newbuilding campaign. Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding is the largest contractor in the multi-billion-dollar project tender that includes more than 120 vessels, in total. The shipyard secured orders for a total of 36 ships, including 24 of the ultra-large LNG carriers and 12 LNGCs at 174,000 m³.

"The commencement of the 271,000 cubic meter LNG carrier project is not only a milestone in the high-end development of China’s shipbuilding industry, but also a landmark project in China’s steady progress towards becoming a world-class shipbuilding power. Against the backdrop of a volatile geopolitical situation and a complex global economic and trade environment, it greatly boosts confidence in the stable development of the entire LNG industry chain in both domestic and international markets," CSSC said in announcing the steel cutting.

QatarEnergy’s shipbuilding programme came in support of the emirate’s North Field expansion project, aiming to increase Qatar’s LNG production capacity from 77M tonnes per annum (mta) to 142 mta by 2030. However, QatarEnergy declared force majeure after missile attacks in the ongoing war between the US and Israel and Iran damaged its main production facilities. Analyst estimates put the cost of repairs, in dollars and time spent, at some US$25Bn and several years. Media reports have also indicated that Qatar has exercised clauses in its long-term charters for some vessels that have delayed the charters. 

The ceremony included representatives from project participants Qatar Energy, COSCO Shipping and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), as well as classification society Bureau Veritas.

CSSC said general manager Wang Guoqiang and QatarEnergy shipping project director Abdulrahman Al-Mullah "held talks" ahead of the ceremony, "and the two sides had in-depth exchanges on expanding cooperation areas and promoting higher-level pragmatic cooperation, reaching several consensuses", without going into further detail. 

A joint venture between Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and China’s COSCO Shipping LNG Investment (CSLNG) is set to own and operate the QC-Max vessel under construction, along with others in the series, with initial deliveries anticipated through 2031.

In August 2025, in a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, COSCO’s wholly owned subsidiary Oriental Fleet disclosed it had entered into an agreement with Oryx LNG, a subsidiary of MOL, to purchase a 271,000-m³ vessel for about US$360M.

Following delivery, scheduled for Q3 2029, Oriental Fleet will lease the vessel back to Oryx LNG. The total estimated charter hire payable by the charterer amounts to roughly US$445M.

The lease period is set at 20 years. Upon its expiry, MOL will be required to purchase the vessel from COSCO for a nominal sum of US$1, payable alongside the final charter instalment.

More recently, in June 2026, COSCO Shipping Energy Transportation Company disclosed a deal with Jiangnan Shipyard to build four LNG carriers at a total cost of about US$953M.