Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD), part of the HHI Group, will deliver the world’s largest LNG-fuelled ship, this month, a 50,000 dwt bulk carrier with a high manganese LNG fuel tank. HHI has also signed a contract to build the world’s first LNG-fuelled aframax tanker.
Earlier this year, HHI and LR announced a joint development project to design 180,000 dwt class bulk carriers.
The design of the vessels is almost finished and is in the process of receiving approval in principle. The design will be used for short to medium-haul bulk trade (i.e. Australia – Asia) and long-haul bulk trade (i.e. Brazil – Asia) service, in line with Harmonised Common Structural Rules.
In order to decide the best type of LNG tanks, LNG fuel tanks with POSCO high manganese steel or 9% nickel steel were chosen. For the long-haul route, a larger sized LNG storage tank can be fitted in the mid-part of the vessel.
Furthermore, Woodside, Anangel, GE, LR and HHI signed a joint industry project agreement to develop an LNG-fuelled 250,000 dwt very large ore carrier operating on the Australia – Asia iron ore trade route.
Hyung Kwan Kim, HHI’s Senior Executive Vice President, stated: “We believe that our work in creating environmentally-friendly designs is more of a mission than a choice, which will lead to a cleaner shipping industry and a greener world. We hope that the first beneficiary of this effort will be the shipping industry. It has always been a great pleasure to work with LR.”
