ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for a design concept of large liquefied CO2 carriers with capacities of 50,000 m³ and 23,000 m³.
This design was developed collaboratively by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd., Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsui & Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Corporation, and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. As informed, this AiP represents a significant step toward standardizing hull designs to ensure there are enough liquefied CO2 carriers to meet this demand.
ClassNK conducted a design review based on its regulations, which include the IGC Code for the construction and equipment of ships carrying liquefied gases. The AiP was granted after confirming that the design met all required standards.
The AiP also includes a tank safety assessment process that uses Engineering Critical Assessment (ECA) to eliminate the need for post-weld heat treatment (PWHT), which can be a manufacturing bottleneck.
