Beijing (CNS) -- China is improving and mastering shipbuilding techniques to explore and exploit underwater resources. Only five countries have succeeded in developing LNG carriers, according to the world's second largest shipbuilder, China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC).
Building the LNG carrier, dubbed 'the pearl in the crown' by global shipbuilders, is extremely demanding in terms of techniques and skills; naval architect Pan Weichang of the CSSC compared it to embroidering a steel plate.
So far CSSC has manufactured five LNG carriers, and it confirms the sixth is under way.
The deepwater rig CNOOC 981 marked another milestone for CSSC's development. The giant vessel is a collection of the world's leading techniques and technologies in the exploration of deepwater oil reserves.
The CSSC has set 2015 as the year it will jump into first place among global shipbuilders.
