American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Marine Equipment Research Institute (KOMERI) to create a new facility dedicated to improving the safety of LNG as fuel.
ABS and KOMERI will collaborate on research at the shoreside facility, which will allow shipowners to safely test fuel gas and bunkering systems, under actual loading conditions, prior to installation onboard, ABS said in its statement.
Located in Busan, the facility will enable shipbuilders to optimize their onboard commissioning processes and provide opportunities for research and development of new technologies, the statement reads.
Kong Gil-Young , KOMERI president, said that the LNG FGSS and bunkering equipment test facility will provide certification and technical engineering aid to marine equipment companies that seek testing technology and development of their equipment
“KOMERI expects this will meet increasing market demand from around the world through verification and cooperation with ABS,” he said.
The MOU allows the increase in the testing facility scope as relevant technologies and regulations develop in the coming years.