The Guangdong Dapeng LNG Terminal has launched China’s inaugural cold-water culture demonstration project, leveraging the cooling properties of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to raise young fish and shellfish, as reported by the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily.

This innovative project capitalizes on the heat exchange process between seawater and LNG at temperatures below -160 degrees Celsius, transforming LNG into gas for downstream use while cooling the seawater to a temperature range of 15 to 20 degrees Celsius. These comparatively rare cool temperatures in the southern Chinese seas provide an optimal environment for high-value fish species to thrive.

Staffers work on raising young fish at the Guangdong Dapeng LNG Terminal. Shenzhen Special Zone Daily 

In collaboration with the Shenzhen Municipal Planning and Natural Resources Bureau (also the Shenzhen Municipal Ocean and Fisheries Bureau), Dapeng has harnessed these cool temperatures to conduct aquaculture research involving the cultivation of fish, shrimp and crabs. Once matured few months later, the fries will be available for market sale, with an anticipated annual yield exceeding 50,000 kilograms.

This endeavor stands as a pioneering model of green development. The utilization of LNG-powered cool temperature water for aquatic cultivation is projected to save 3,940 Kilowatt hours in cooling expenses, consequently reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 3.6 tons annually. 

An aerial view of the Guangdong Dapeng LNG Terminal.