A new 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). LR says the design, capable of supplying both small scale requirements and the current maximum expected requirements for large ships trading worldwide, is a vital next step in supporting capability for a global marine LNG bunkering network.
Compliant with the requirements of the revised IGC Code1, the design incorporates two cylindrical type ‘C’ tanks, reliquefaction plant, 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, the company has prepared three prototypes of 6,600 m3 (single or twin screw) and 15,000 m3 Class Dual Fuelled LNG Bunkering vessels based on Zeebrugge LNG terminal requirements and targeted to small LNG terminals 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 non-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 in natural 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.’
(Source: Lloyd’s Register)
1 IGC Code : The International Code of the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code), adopted by resolution MSC.5(48), has been mandatory under SOLAS chapter VII since 1 July 1986. The aim of the Code is to provide an international standard for the safe carriage by sea in bulk of liquefied gases and the substances listed in chapter 19, by prescribing the design and construction standards of ships involved in such carriage and the equipment they should carry so as to minimise the risk to the ship, to its crew and to the environment, having regard to the nature of the products involved. The latest comprehensive amendments of the IGC Code were adopted by resolution MSC.370 (93), to enter into force on 1 July 2016.
(IGC information also supplied by Lloyd’s Register)
