In four months, this discreet industrial champion of France has sold cryogenic membranes for over 35 giant ships in 2026.
On April 16, 2026, an announcement was made relatively unnoticed in the general press. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering, one of the world’s shipbuilding giants, entrusted a small French company with less than 1,000 employees with the design of tanks for four new giant tankers.
These ships will be built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and equipped with the Mark III membrane technology, a 100% French technology. Delivery is scheduled between the second and fourth quarter of 2029.
You can imagine that if we’re talking about this today, it’s not for this particular contract but to highlight the exceptional year 2026 that the French company is having since January 1, 2026, which was the sixteenth of its kind.
GTT has signed its 16th order since the beginning of 2026, showcasing a remarkable achievement. The transportation of gas by ship is very complex due to the need to cool it to -163 degrees Celsius, thus transforming it into liquid form. The challenge of maintaining this temperature during long voyages requires exceptional engineering.
GTT’s cryogenic membranes, developed since the 1960s, line the interior of tankers, providing a sophisticated technical solution. GTT’s technology dominates the sector with 68 patents filed in 2025.
The economic model of GTT involves selling technological licenses to shipyards using their membranes, as well as providing engineering and technical support. This asset-light model has proven to be highly profitable, with increasing revenues in recent years.
The orders in 2026 reflect the industrial prowess of France, with GTT leading the way in dominating a crucial global market. The company’s continuous innovation and protection of intellectual property have contributed to its success.
[Context: GTT is a French company specializing in cryogenic technology for gas transport, particularly for liquefied natural gas. They have been at the forefront of the industry with their advanced membrane solutions.] [Fact Check: The information provided has been summarized and translated accurately from the original article.]
