Lloyd's Register Asia has presented an update on the ability of the shipyards in China to produce hi-tech ships at the Shipping China Energy 2008 conference in Shanghai, organised by Tradewinds and the Mare Forum.

John Stansfeld, Director, gave the presentation entitled "The Era of Diversifying Designs" to highlight the progress China has made on the design and construction of LNG and other types of vessels - including the April 3 delivery of the Dapeng Sun, the country's first domestically produced LNG ship.

"Its build period of some 40 months was, of course, far longer than what will be necessary to truly rival the Koreans and Japanese for future LNG orders, but the fact remains that China has delivered," Stansfeld told a receptive audience of some 200 delegates.

Stansfeld, who was on a six-member panel with fellow classification societies DNV, ABS and Rina, said Lloyd's Register's China team had been asked recently to evaluate and support designs for 13,000-teu container ships, the world's largest ore carriers, 84,000m3 LPG carriers and 8,000-unit Pure Care and Truck Carriers.

In other news, the China Marine Business Development team has updated its coveted New Construction in China manual, which offers extensive details about all of China's major shipyards.

The information manual has been applauded by foreign shipowners looking to buy in China.

Notes to editors

For more information contact:

Russell Barling
Corporate Communications Manager
Lloyd's Register Asia
T +852 2287 9375
F +852 2526 2921
E russell.barling@lr.org

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