Lloyd’s Register (LR) has been selected to provide assurance and certification services to China’s Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group (HZ) for two significant naval projects with the Algerian Naval Force and the Royal Thai Navy.
The Algerian Naval Force project, consisting of a 96-metre Corvette will be designed and constructed to LR’s Naval Ship Rules. The Corvette is designed for operations including patrol, escort and protection of maritime interests within the nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The Corvette incorporates a helipad and a crew of 78 people, has a range of 3,500 nautical miles and is capable of top speeds in excess of 27 knots. It is scheduled for delivery in 2022.
On 12 July 2016, Algeria has received its third and final C28A corvette (photo) from China, which is named Ezzadjer. The vessel was handed over to the Algerian Navy in Shanghai and arrived in Algeria on 20 August. C28A is also built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group (HZ).
The second project, a 210-metre Landing Platform Dock (LPD) ship for the Royal Thai Navy, can carry up to 800 marines and 20 amphibious vehicles, and has a well-deck that can deploy up to four Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) vehicles - or hovercrafts - of approximately 150 tons each. The ship is also fitted with two large hangars that can carry up to four helicopters and a flight deck that can operate two helicopters. The expected delivery date of the LPD ship is 2023.
In addition to its more traditional role in military amphibious operations, the Royal Thai Navy will also use the LPD ship for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. The ship is an export variant of LPDs currently in service with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, also being built at HZ. LR will provide design and construction certification services to HZ in accordance with LR’s Naval Ship Rules.
David Lloyd, LR’s Global Naval Business Director said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by Hudong-Zhonghua to support them in these two very different projects, demonstrating LRs ability to provide flexible, tailored naval assurance and certification services that support our clients in the best manner possible. This also attests to the strong relationship between the two companies, as well as the mutual desire to expand the considerable experience in naval shipbuilding the partnership will bring to navies around the world.”
Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co., Ltd. is one of the major shipbuilding enterprises under the flag of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC). The Company consists of one headquarter in Pudong of Shanghai, and three shipyards. Besides, the Company has also interest-controlled many businesses, boasting a complete set of marine equipment fabrication industrial chains.
Hudong-Zhonghua (HZ) possesses shipbuilding and marine equipment manufacturing bases covering an area of 4.8 million m2, 7,300 m wharf lines, 19 quays, five 300,000 DWT VLCC class dry docks, 8 gantry cranes of 600 ton capacity or above, various automatic production equipment and state-of-the-art flat section and curved section production lines, managing a combined asset worth more than 38 billion RMB (Chinese Yuan) - US 5.37 billion.
HZ has built more than 3000 various ships, including LNG carriers, LPG carriers, medium and large sized container vessels, chemical tankers, Ro/Ro ships, oil tankers, bulk carriers, passenger ships, special purpose vessels, battle ships, auxiliary navy ships etc for numerous shipping companies and navies all over the world. Its products have been exported to over 40 countries and regions in Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, and South America. Besides, the Company has also completed a number of prestigious projects such as the Nanpu Bridge in Shanghai, the Capital Mansion in Beijing, the Shanghai Stock Exchange Building, the 300,000 m3 dry-type gas tank and so on, which have received great popularity nationwide.
HZ is an important armament manufacturing base for Chinese PLA navy. The Company has built more than 900 combat ships and auxiliary navy ships such as new type missile frigates and comprehensive landing ships, which has won itself a reputation as “the Cradle of Chinese Frigates and Landing Ships”. HZ has also exported missile frigates, offshore patrolling vessels, comprehensive replenishment ships and various types of other military products to Algeria, Pakistan, and Thailand, etc.
