A design from Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) for a 6,600 m3 LNG bunker vessel has received Approval in Principle (AiP) from Lloyd’s Register (LR). The design will be capable of supplying both small scale requirements and the current maximum expected requirements for large ships trading worldwide.
Compliant with the requirements of the revised IGC Code, the design incorporates two cylindrical type ‘C’ tanks, reliquefaction plant, a new and sophisticated loading arm and high manoeuvrability for safe operations. The design is available in both single and twin screw with different propeller options.
Chang-hyun Yoon, EVP of HMD Initial Planning Division said:
‘We have steadfastly invested in developing the wide variety of gas ship design not only to respond quickly to the market demand and but also to lead the market. For this reason, we have prepared three prototype of 6,600 m3 (single or twin screw) and 15,000 m3 Class Dual Fuelled LNG Bunkering vessels targeting to operate in Zeebrugge small LNG terminal for LNG fuel in order to develop a global market for the LNG bunkering business.’
The 6,600 m3 bunkering vessel is designed to have two cylindrical tanks and no-bulbous bow shape while the 15,000 m3 has three bi-lobe tanks and bulbous bow.
Both 6,600 m3 and 15,000 m3 bunkering vessels are fully compliant with NOx Tier III at gas mode, and equipped with one set of re-liquefaction plant (1,000 kg/h), gas combustion unit and different combination of thrusters, flap rudder for better sea-keeping ability at rough sea.
Leo Karistios, Gas Technology Manager, LR, commented:
‘This HMD design is another significant step in the requirements for safe, efficient gas bunkering worldwide. We are at the start of the LNG bunkering era. The industry is developing technical solutions to support commercial and regulatory requirements. No-one knows at what speed the commercial take-up of gas fuelled shipping will now proceed but concrete technical progress is being made.’
Chang-hyun Yoon, EVP of HMD Initial Planning Division added,
‘We have developed small scale LNG carriers ranging from 10,000 m3 to 30,000 m3.Because large scale LNG carriers are not appropriate for short voyages and small LNG terminals, small scale carriers could be considered as an alternative. This vessel carries liquefied natural gas (LNG) mainly, and also other liquefied gases such as ethylene, ethane, LPG and chemical cargoes could be transported when there is little demand for LNG cargo as owner’s option.’
LR has been helping the marine industry develop capability and designs across the gas shipping spectrum, translating its market leading position in LNG and LPG carrier classification into the gas-as-fuel sector as the market develops.
Luis Benito, LR’s Innovation Director, Marine & Offshore, said,
‘As LNG fuelled shipping develops we need to make sure that the risks are being addressed from the very start. The scale of these requirements and need to understand the risks are being supported by our rigorous approaches to identifying and managing risk. Our stakeholders – shipbuilders, shipowners, ports, terminals and regulators – and society – need assurance that those risks are being properly addressed as LNG infrastructure now moves into the big time. This involves meeting international standards and LR has been leading the way in the internationalisation of LNG fuelled infrastructure.’
Source: Lloyd’s Register
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