The joint venture group FSP LNG BV stated that it is taking the FSP LNG Flat Panel Semi-membrane Prismatic Type B containment system through General Design Approval (GDA) with the American Bureau of Shipping in Houston, and is projecting that construction of the first tank will begin at the end of this year.
 
Formed earlier this year to take the FSP LNG containment system through the general approval process, the group comprises Braemar Engineering, Honghua Group EnTX and Jamestown Marine Metals.

In a joint statement, Chairman Zhang Mi, Chairman and President of Honghua Group, and Geoff Green, Managing Director of Braemar Engineering, said that “substantial progress has been made to date, and this is expected to continue going forward”.
 
In addition they stated that GDA and Tank Specific Approval was moving forward in parallel, and that approval, construction and test-completion of the Initial Tank is projected for March 2016.
Chairman Zhang Mi and Geoff Green added that they were “delighted with the progress made to date and wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of those in the joint venture for their ongoing hard work”. Both gentlemen also wanted to extend their thanks to ABS and General Dynamics NASSCO for their unstinting support.
 
The FSP system - a new flat-panel, semi-membrane, prismatic-shaped LNG tank-containment system Type B - uses new flat plate technology to overcome the issues associated with partial filling and sloshing. At the cutting edge of development in this field, the system employs a unique high tech process taken from the aerospace industry, the ‘friction stir welding’ technique, offering optimum integral strength.
 
FSP can be used in a wide range of applications: Floating Production and Storage (FPSO); Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRU), LNG transportation and LNG marine fuel tanks. It can even be used as offshore storage.
 
The new Type B containment system has been designed to be constructed, outfitted, insulated and tested off hull and lifted complete onto the platform. The use of on shore construction facilities ensures the highest standards of quality care and repeatability.