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T
he global LNG market continues to shift and respond
to new cargo sources and destinations, and increasingly
diverse trading patterns; demands which are all being
reflected in LNG carrier designs. While the typical size of LNG
vessels appears to have stabilised, there are prospects for further
evolution in vessel sizes and for greater use of reliquefaction
for cargo flexibility. However, for owners and designers, the
configurations of LNG carriers are principally defined by two
factors: choice of propulsion and containment system.
Staying
on trend
Patrick Janssens, ABS,
China,
explores how choices
for main propulsion and
containment systems remain
the fundamental drivers of
innovation in LNG carrier
design trends as LNG trading
becomes increasingly flexible.
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