#Product Trends
Localization is done. What’s next? VacuEco VPU takes LNG cryogenic insulation up a level
From “we have a solution” to “we want better cold retention, more cargo volume, and long-term stability
LNG ships are called the “crown jewel” of shipbuilding for a reason: the technical barriers are high and the build is seriously complex. As China’s shipbuilding supply chain has matured, core components — cryogenic steel plate, cargo pumps, navigation systems — have steadily shifted to domestic supply. Insulation for cargo containment systems has already been localized too.
But that’s not where the competition ends. Shipowners and shipyards have moved from “we have an insulation solution” to “we want better cold retention, more usable tank volume, and stable performance for the long haul.” Whether it’s a membrane LNG ship using Mark III/NO96-type containment or the external insulation on a self-supporting tank, conventional systems are approaching their limits at -162°C — in thermal performance, thickness, and boil-off control.
