DNV GL used its advanced dynamic positioning (DP) floatover technology to support CNOOC on its first offshore platform installation in the eastern waters of the South China Sea for the Enping Oilfields. CHINA DAILY

DNV was the first classification society in the world to introduce a rule on LNG as ship fuel in 2000. This year the milestone of 100 ships either in global operation or on order fuelled with LNG was passed. The company has classed more than 65 percent of these ships.

"LNG fueled ships are a suitable alternative to heavy-fueled ships amid rising environmental concerns, in particular in the inland waterways and coastal areas in China," Sterri said. "The new direction for the industry focuses on developing ships that use LNG."

Wang Jinlian, secretary-general of the China Association of the National Shipbuilding Industry, said from the long-term view, LNG ships will be widely used in China for multiple purposes.

"Even though higher investment cost is a challenge for the LNG option, this is more than offset by fuel-saving costs over the life cycle of a ship," Wang said. "China should strengthen LNG tank construction at import terminals for further distribution and adopt small LNG carriers for short sailing distances."

As deep-water fields are important to China's energy future, DNV was also one of the earliest involved in China's offshore development back in the 1980s. Most of the harsh and deep-water offshore units contracted to China shipyards are sent to DNV GL class.

DNV GL currently carries out a number of ongoing offshore projects in China's main offshore shipyards. Through these projects, the company assists the yards to improve their technical understanding, production systems, health safety and environment systems, which help them start to close the gap with their international rivals.

The company's experts are also supporting China's largest offshore oil and gas company－China National Offshore Oil Co－on its first offshore platform installation in China using advanced dynamic positioning

This year marks DNV's 150th anniversary and the first-year anniversary of the merged company, Sterri said the company will continue its commitment to China. One aspect that DNV GL can contribute is training as the company has accumulated vast experience and expertise in the maritime and offshore industry. To impart the knowledge, DNV GL established an academy in 2005 to meet increasing demand for competence development in China's maritime industry.

The DNV GL academy offers a wide range of training courses in the maritime industry including offshore rules, regulations, classification, operation, new-building design, safety management, security and risk management courses.

Thousands of maritime professionals in China have been trained through the DNV GL Academy network including at its branches in Dalian, Shanghai, Nantong, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Taipei and Kaohsiung.

China Offshore Oil Engineering eyes more revenue from abroad	CNOOC adds floating oil production units