IHI Group company IHI Plant Services Corporation (President: Ryoji Aoki; hereinafter “IPC”), together with Shimizu Corporation (President: Tatsuya Shinmura; hereinafter “SHIMIZU”), is pleased to announce that the No. 4 in-ground LNG tank (capacity: 250,000 m³; hereinafter “the Tank”) at Tokyo Gas Ohgishima LNG Terminal (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture), which IPC and SHIMIZU jointly constructed, has received official certification from GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ as the “Largest in-ground LNG storage tank” in the world.
A certification presentation ceremony was held on April 20. This certification was jointly awarded to Tokyo Gas, SHIMIZU, and IPC.

The Tank is an enormous structure large enough to accommodate Osaka Castle’s main keep in its entirety and boasts a storage capacity equivalent to approximately one year of city gas consumption for around 360,000 general households. Since its completion in 2013, Tokyo Gas has operated the Tank safely and stably for more than a decade without accidents. During this time, the numerous advanced technologies introduced in what is one of the world’s largest in-ground LNG tanks have proven their reliability in actual operation. As a result, the Tank was recognized as a mature technology worthy of global recognition, leading to its certification by GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™.

Construction of the Tank was carried out by a joint venture between SHIMIZU and IPC (former Plant SBU in IHI Corporation and IHI Plant Construction Co., Ltd.). Despite site constraints, the project successfully achieved large-capacity storage while maintaining high quality and cost efficiency. This was realized through the adoption of a soil-covered raised roof structure and seismic design using the latest technologies. In addition, high-strength reinforcing bars and high-compressive-strength insulation were adapted to resist unprecedented pressure. The Tank was successfully constructed by the extensive expertise and technological development accumulated by both companies over many years.

In this project, IPC was responsible for the mechanical works, including the steel roof, the inner tank (membrane), and insulation work. Since constructing Japan’s first in-ground LNG storage tank at the Tokyo Gas Negishi LNG Terminal in 1970, IPC has built a total of 37 in-ground LNG storage tanks. In-ground LNG storage tanks are Japan-developed technology originating from joint development with Tokyo Gas, incorporating proprietary technologies such as membranes designed to accommodate expansion and contraction caused by LNG temperature fluctuations. Alongside the expansion of LNG adoption in Japan, IPC has actively pursued larger-capacity tank development.

Including above-ground LNG tanks, IPC is a leading company with extensive experience in constructing LNG storage tanks both in Japan and overseas. Leveraging its broad track record and advanced technological capabilities in the LNG tank and terminal field, IPC will continue to promote a sustainable energy transition and contribute to the realization of a low-carbon society.

[ Notes ]
Main specifications of the tank

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