Conventional fuel sea trials completed for new Chinese-built VLCC

China's Dalian COSCO KHI Ship Engineering (DACKS) completed conducting the conventional fuel sea trials of a new very large crude carrier (VLCC) on Friday, July 11.

The trials lasted eight days, during which DACKS completed a number of key tests including a ballast tank test, a main engine endurance test, a speed test, and a steering performance test.

The VLCC has an LOA of 339.5 metres, a beam of 60 metres, a draught of 28.9 metres, and a deadweight of 309,000. The ship is dual-fuel capable, being able to operate on either LNG or conventional fuel.

It is also equipped with two 5,100-cubic-metre type C LNG fuel tanks. When operating on LNG, it can sail up to 19,000 nautical miles.

The VLCC was independently developed, designed and built by DACKS. It will use LNG as its main fuel though it will be able to easily switch between fuel types.

Construction of the ship began in April 2024.