A Marshall Islands-flagged 180,000-cubic-meter large LNG carrier, the "Goa," was safely piloted downriver and delivered on July 25, 2026, under the careful guidance of pilots Guo Xinyu and Wang Jian from the Nantong Pilot Station of the Yangtze River Pilot Center.
This vessel represents the second ship in its class built at the China Merchants Shipbuilding Haimen Base. The ship measures 298.8 meters in overall length and 48 meters in beam. It is equipped with an advanced dual-fuel propulsion system and is capable of carrying liquefied natural gas at -163°C, making it the largest LNG carrier ever completed in China.
This particular pilotage operation faced multiple complex navigation challenges, including strong river currents, a narrow time window for departure from the berth, the need to navigate through dense anchorages, the slow maneuvering characteristics of the giant hazardous chemical vessel, and a high degree of risk transmission. Under the dual pressure of a tight delivery deadline for the enterprise and high navigation risks, the Nantong Pilot Station proactively shouldered the responsibility for overcoming these difficulties. They implemented precise pilotage service measures based on a "one-ship, one-policy" and "one-enterprise, one-policy" approach. Relying on their extensive experience and technical breakthroughs accumulated from long-term service for large newbuilds and offshore engineering products, they scientifically and efficiently implemented comprehensive safety measures for the entire process, providing a strong guarantee for the safe pilotage of the vessel.
Looking ahead, the Nantong Pilot Station of the Yangtze River Pilot Center will continue to optimize its pilotage support system for ultra-large, hazardous chemical, and offshore engineering special vessels. By continuously refining its pilotage techniques and offering full-cycle, meticulous, and exclusive services, it aims to fully empower the high-quality export of Nantong's shipbuilding and offshore engineering industry. This will help to enhance the quality and capacity of the domestic clean energy shipping industry chain and contribute to the green, safe, and efficient development of the Yangtze River Golden Waterway.