ClassNK Approval in Principle Awarded to "Revolutionary" HHI Bunkering Vessel

ClassNK has issued Approval in Principle HHI for a "revolutionary" 7,500 cbm LNG bunkering vessel.

Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) Thursday announced that it has issued Approval in Principle (AiP) to Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd. (HHI) for a "revolutionary" 7,500 cubic metre (cbm) liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel.

The vessel design is said to be the result of joint research by HHI and ClassNK to enhance LNG bunkering vessel efficiency.

"Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd. and ClassNK have always enjoyed close cooperation, and this design is just one of the fruits of our relationship. We hope this AIP will help pave the way for a new generation of highly efficient LNG bunkering vessels," said Takashi Nishibashi, ClassNK's Country Manager for Korea.

HHI and ClassNK's work on the vessel is said to have been driven by an intention for the provision of greater flexibility by LNG bunker vessels through ship-to-ship bunkering, producing a design that utilises type-C bi-lobe tanks for improved cargo capacity, greater efficiency, and productivity.

The AiP is said to have been was granted following confirmation that the vessel design is compliant with ClassNK's Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships.

"When we are commissioned to develop an LNG bunkering vessel concept by clients we face a much wider array of challenges, such as compact ship's dimensions, robust hull structure, more cargo capacity, simple operation and lower ship's price etc.," said Cha-Soo Lee, Technical Director of HHI.

"We are happy to find the best compromise between economic and technical issues through this joint research with ClassNK."

The AiP is sai to enable the LNG bunkering vessel design to be considered for further individual projects, under which tests on the hull structure scantling will be carried out, as well as direct stress analyses, in order to verify the structural integrity of each specific design against class rules and the IGC Code.

In June, ClassNK announced that the installation of ClassNK Consulting Service's condition-based monitoring (CBM) system on Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' (MOL's) methanol-propulsion capable Taranaki Sun marked the system's first commercial application.