Hyundai Mipo delivers world’s first LNG-fuelled bulk carrier to Ilshin

South Korea’s Hyundai Mipo Dockyard and Ilshin Logistics have delivered what they claim to be the world’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fuelled bulk carrier.

The vessel named Ilshin Green Iris is under the dual-class of Lloyd’s Register and Korean Register.

Hyundai Mipo Dockyard won the order in July 2016 to build the LNG-powered bulk carrier for shipowner Ilshin Shipping.

The 50,000 dwt bulk carrier has also been verified to be in compliance with the International Gas Fuel (IGF) Code.

The vessel is equipped with a high manganese LNG fuel tank. The Type ‘C’ LNG tank with a capacity of 500m³, is located on the aft mooring deck.

The material, newly developed by steelmaker POSCO, has a high manganese content (approximately 26%) and is specially designed for cryogenic LNG and liquefied gas storage applications.

The LNG-powered ship will transport limestone cargoes in the Korean coastal trade for POSCO.

Worth mentioning, Lloyd’s Register and Hyundai Mipo’s parent company Hyundai Heavy Industries said in a joint statement in December that the vessel would be delivered by the end of 2017.