China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, known as Sinopec, has unloaded the world’s largest liquified natural gas (LNG) carrier “AL MAFYAR” for the first time as it berthed in north China’s Tianjin municipality, according to China’s state-newspaper.

The ship is 345 meters long and 53.8 meters wide, with a maximum carrying capacity of 266,000 cubic meters. The vessel can transport LNG at a low temperature of -162°C. 

For the ship’s first trip, it was berthed with 207,000 cubic meters of LNG after setting sail for 20 days.

The inauguration of this tanker’s operations comes at a good time as the start of winter means the energy terminal in Tianjin is important to ensure the natural gas supply for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.