The new Avenir Allegiance is the world's largest LNG tanker. It was designed and built by Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore and Engineering Co Ltd and launched in Zhoushan, in East China's Zhejiang province, on Jan 27. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

The Avenir Allegiance – the world's largest liquefied natural gas tanker designed and built by Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore and Engineering Co Ltd – was launched in Zhoushan in East China's Zhejiang province on Jan 27.

The company, also known as CIMC SOE, is one of China's leading shipyards building gas carriers, based in the county-level city of Qidong, administered by Nantong in East China's Jiangsu province.

The massive tanker can hold 20,000 cubic meters of LNG at a time, with the main tank independently designed by CIMC SOE to be safe, energy-saving and environmentally friendly. In addition to shipping LNG, it can also refuel other ships and terminals.

As an important development direction in the LNG field, developing tankers with both transport and refueling functions will be a focus of CIMC SOE in the future.

In addition to the latest vessel, CIMC SOE will build one more of the same size for its owner, London-based tanker group Avenir LNG.

Avenir LNG is a joint venture founded by the world's largest chemicals shipping company Stolt-Nielsen and two LNG giants – Hoegh LNG and Golar LNG. Avenir LNG focuses on the business of small-scale LNG transport and refueling.