DNV GL Grants AiP to MOL and SHI for Design of LNG-Fuelled Container Vessel

Tommy Bjørnsen of DNV GL granted the AiP to Yoshikazu Kawagoe of MOL and Mun-Keun Ha of SHI at Gastech 2017.
Image: DNV GL

DNV GL says it has granted approval in principle (AiP) to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for the design of a series of four liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fuelled 20,000 TEU container ships, which are currently under construction.

"The vessels were designed in anticipation of using LNG as a fuel, to account for environmental regulations targeting emissions to air that will take effect in the years to come," explained DNV GL.

The AiP was presented by Tommy Bjørnsen, Regional Manager Korea and Japan for DNV GL – Maritime, to Yoshikazu Kawagoe, Managing Executive Officer at MOL, and Mun-Keun Ha, Executive Vice President for Shipbuilding & Drilling Operation at SHI, at the Gastech 2017 exhibition and conference last week in Tokyo.

"This AiP is another step toward the more widespread adoption of LNG as a fuel for shipping," said Bjørnsen, adding: "the emissions and efficiency benefits of LNG mean it is almost sure to become an important part of the fuel mix over the next few years."

The designs are noted to feature an optimal retrofit plan for in-service vessels, a LNG fuel tank layout and design for ultra-large container ships (ULCS), a LNG fuel supply system for optimised engine power output for ULCS, and dual-fuel engine systems that enable the use of LNG or conventional fuel oil.

While a LNG bunkering system has not yet been established for the vessels, DNV GL says such a system is expected in the near future.

"As part of the cooperation DNV GL was also commissioned by MOL and SHI to facilitate a Hazard Identification (HAZID) workshop for the fuel gas supply system (FGSS) and LNG bunkering operations of the LNG ready container ship," explained DNV GL, noting that the gas fuel system was assessed by DNV GL after HAZID and found to comply with current classification rules.

Also at Gastech 2017, DNV GL and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd (DSME) presented the results of a joint development project (JDP) for an "innovative" and efficient LNG carrier that is set to utilise LNG as the primary fuel.

Further, as Ship & Bunker reported last week, DNV GL and Veritas Petroleum Services (VPS) are set to work together to develop test procedures for quality testing of LNG bunkers.