This contract is the result of more than four years of development made by GTT in this market segment. These Sea Giants will be able to carry 22,000 containers each, instead of 21,000 containers for the biggest container ships currently in operation. GTT will design the LNG fuel tanks, which represent a capacity of 18,600 m³ per ship. The Mark III membrane insulation system developed by GTT was chosen for its space optimization allowing a maximum usage of cargo capacity.

The Mark III membrane system is a cryogenic liner directly supported by the ship’s inner hull. This liner is composed of a primary metallic membrane positioned on top of a prefabricated insulation panel including a complete secondary membrane.

• The primary membrane is made of corrugated stainless steel 304 L, 1.2mm thick. It contains the LNG cargo and is directly supported by and fixed to the insulation system. Standard size of the corrugated sheets is 3m x 1m. This membrane is folded to create corrugations. The knot is the intersection of the corrugations (small and large corrugations).

• The secondary membrane is made of Triplex, a composite laminated material: a thin sheet of aluminum between two layers of glass cloth and resin. It is positioned inside the prefabricated insulation panels between the two insulation layers.

• The insulation consists of a load-bearing system made of prefabricated panels in reinforced polyurethane foam including both primary and secondary insulation layers and the secondary membrane. The standard size of the panels is 3m x 1m. The total thickness of the insulation is 270mm. The panels are bonded to the inner hull by means of resin ropes which serve a double purpose: anchoring the insulation and spreading evenly the loads.

The two independent insulation spaces are continuously flushed with nitrogen gas. The integrity of both membranes is permanently monitored by detection of hydrocarbon in the nitrogen. The orthogonal corrugation pattern enables the membrane to accommodate any thermal or hull deflection stresses and to work under the fatigue limit thus providing outstanding lifetime.

Because of low stress on the primary membrane, prefabricated foam corner panels can be used to anchor the membrane to the hull thus minimizing thermal flux.

3) and the plywood covering both sides of the panels—for an even load distribution—allow the insulation to withstand high impact pressures and absorb the energy resulting from liquid motion.

The low thermal conductivity of the foam and of the corners results in a thin insulation; thus maximizing the cargo capacity for any ship external constraints.