The first FPSO built in China for use in the oil and gas industry in Africa undocks in Qidong on March 19. [Photo/ntfabu.com]

A new floating production storage and offloading vessel – the first Chinese-built FPSO that will be used by the oil and gas industry in Africa – undocked on March 19 and berthed at a wharf in Qidong city, in East China's Jiangsu province.

The Tortue-N999, was built by Qidong COSCO Marine Engineering Co Ltd and its arrival followed rigorous trials and tests. That's because FPSOs are complex and specialist vessels designed for the petroleum industry, to produce oil and gas from offshore fields and to store it for future offloading to tankers taking it to customers internationally.

The new FPSO has a length of 270 meters, a width of 54 m and a depth of 31 m.

The ship was reportedly ordered by British oil and gas giant BP PLC and was jointly built by COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Co Ltd and TechnipFMC PLC. It is the most complex and largest FPSO contracted by COSCO so far.

The hull of the ship has been completed, while the construction and installation of living quarters, modules and other facilities will be carried out later.

The ship will serve the Tortue/Ahmeyim liquefied natural gas field off the coast of Mauritania and Senegal in West Africa after delivery, supplying LNG to Mauritania, Senegal and other countries in the region.

Qidong's shipbuilding industry has now regained a strong momentum despite the impact of COVID-19 pandemic. According to statistics, Qidong COSCO Marine Engineering alone will complete and deliver nine large-scale projects including the new FPSO in 2021.

To ensure that the local shipyards improve their production efficiency and maintain safety standards, the Nantong Maritime Safety Administration is providing a comprehensive range of services for them.

It has been tasked with rapidly handling all types of investigations, approvals, on-site inspections and other procedures. The MSA also helps the shipyards with their vessel launches, trial voyages and towing.

Moreover, the Nantong MSA is strengthening its on-site supervision and reportedly striving to provide the best possible services for the yards.