What is GTT's NO96 technology and why does it require classification approval?

GTT's NO96 is a specialized cryogenic membrane containment system designed to keep liquefied natural gas at -163 degrees Celsius during maritime transport. Because any structural failure of this containment system poses severe safety and environmental risks, any modifications to its design criteria must be rigorously tested and approved by maritime classification societies like Lloyd's Register.

How do the new elongation criteria benefit LNG shipbuilders?

The new elongation criteria provide shipbuilders with greater flexibility in designing the inner hull and containment support structures of LNG carriers. This optimization can lead to a reduction in the overall weight of the vessel's steel structure, thereby lowering construction costs and improving the ship's hydrodynamic and fuel efficiency.

Will this development impact the broader global LNG supply chain?

Yes, by enabling more cost-effective and efficient LNG carrier designs, this technological approval helps the maritime industry meet the growing global demand for LNG transport. Over time, these incremental design efficiencies contribute to lowering the overall shipping component of LNG delivery costs worldwide.

Offshore Energy · July 16, 2026 (1d ago) · 1 min read

GTT’s new LR-approved NO96 criteria expand LNG carrier design flexibility

Analysis

AI-assisted analysis · reviewed by Yuri Kan

French engineering firm GTT has secured approval from Lloyd's Register for updated elongation criteria regarding its proprietary NO96 membrane containment system. This regulatory milestone allows shipbuilders to optimize the structural design of liquefied natural gas carriers, potentially reducing steel weight and construction costs. By enhancing design flexibility, this development supports the global shipbuilding industry as it races to deliver the next generation of highly efficient LNG vessels.

Key Facts

Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) received approval from the UK-based classification society Lloyd's Register for its new NO96 elongation criteria.
The NO96 technology is a cryogenic membrane containment system used to store liquefied natural gas at cryogenic temperatures aboard transport vessels.
The newly approved criteria allow for greater flexibility in the structural design and optimization of LNG carrier hulls.
Lloyd's Register's validation confirms that the revised elongation limits meet stringent maritime safety and structural integrity standards.
This technical advancement is expected to streamline the construction process for shipyards utilizing GTT's membrane containment designs.

Background & Context

GTT's NO96 technology has been a cornerstone of the LNG shipping industry for decades, utilizing a double-membrane system to safely transport supercooled gas across oceans. Historically, classification societies have maintained rigid structural criteria for these containment systems to prevent sloshing damages and structural fatigue. As global demand for LNG has surged, shipbuilders and technology providers have continuously sought incremental engineering efficiencies to reduce vessel weight and maximize cargo capacity.

Market Impact

This approval enhances the competitiveness of GTT's containment systems against rival technologies by offering shipyards greater design latitude and potential material savings. For shipowners, more optimized vessel structures translate to improved fuel efficiency, lower emissions, and reduced capital expenditure during the construction phase. Classification societies like Lloyd's Register play a critical role in de-risking these engineering updates, ensuring that commercial optimization does not compromise safety in extreme offshore environments.

What to Watch

Moving forward, industry analysts will monitor how quickly global shipyards integrate these new NO96 design criteria into their active order books. Attention will also turn to whether other major classification societies, such as DNV or the American Bureau of Shipping, will issue similar approvals for GTT's updated criteria. Ultimately, these design optimizations will manifest in the next wave of LNG carrier deliveries scheduled for the late 2020s.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GTT's NO96 technology and why does it require classification approval?: GTT's NO96 is a specialized cryogenic membrane containment system designed to keep liquefied natural gas at -163 degrees Celsius during maritime transport. Because any structural failure of this containment system poses severe safety and environmental risks, any modifications to its design criteria must be rigorously tested and approved by maritime classification societies like Lloyd's Register.
How do the new elongation criteria benefit LNG shipbuilders?: The new elongation criteria provide shipbuilders with greater flexibility in designing the inner hull and containment support structures of LNG carriers. This optimization can lead to a reduction in the overall weight of the vessel's steel structure, thereby lowering construction costs and improving the ship's hydrodynamic and fuel efficiency.
Will this development impact the broader global LNG supply chain?: Yes, by enabling more cost-effective and efficient LNG carrier designs, this technological approval helps the maritime industry meet the growing global demand for LNG transport. Over time, these incremental design efficiencies contribute to lowering the overall shipping component of LNG delivery costs worldwide.

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