Cochin Shipyard has received certification to build LNG-transporting ships for any client world-wide, making it the first shipyard in India to get the nod, joining the league of South Korea, Japan and China.

“India is going to fulfil a much-desired ambition of LNG ship building. This opens a new chapter in ship-building technology in India and marks a big step for Make in India,” said Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan.

The French company providing the certification, Gaztransport et Technigaz (GTT), is a leader in design engineering and provides membrane-type containment systems for the transportation and storage of LNG, according to a statement from the Ministry of Shipping.

The CEO of GTT, Philippe Berterottiere, awarded the license to K. Subramaniam, CMD, Cochin Shipyard.

“The most critical part of an LNG ship is its cryogenic containment and handling system as the LNG is carried at a temperature of -163 degrees. This requires fool-proof cryogenic containment and safe handling and transfer systems… Cochin Shipyard is now authorised to use the membrane type technologies of GTT for any liquid gas carriers, more particularly the LNG carriers,” Minister of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, said.

GAIL is in the process of finalising contracts with reputed LNG shipping companies for the manufacture of ships customised to GAIL’s specifications.

The requirement is for nine ships.