ABS greenlights HD Hyundai Mipo’s LCO2 carrier design

Classification society ABS has awarded approval in principle (AiP) to South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD), a division of shipbuilding giant HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), for its design of a liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier.

Presented at Gastech 2024, the AiP represented the culmination of a joint development project between ABS and HMD.

HMD developed a cargo containment system optimized for a 35,000 cbm LCO2 carrier using new cargo tank materials. ABS completed design reviews based on class and statutory requirements for liquefied gas carriers.

“Capturing and transporting carbon are key components in the carbon value chain for the global energy transition. ABS understands that these efforts require collaboration, and we are delighted to work with innovators like HMD to advance containment technologies for LCO2,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.

Dong-Jin Lee, Head of Initial Design Division at HMD, added that the response to climate change will be a new opportunity for the shipbuilding industry. Through this development of liquefied CO2 carriers, the shipbuilder plans to further enhance its competitiveness in the future eco-friendly shipbuilding market that leads to carbon neutrality.

In particular, through this project, the company has acquired all the lineups required by the market, from 7,500 cbm to 35,000 cbm and introduced various design requirements.

Meanwhile, at this year’s Gastech, ABS awarded AiPs for the design concept of 23,000 cbm and 50,000 cbm large LCO2 carriers developed by Japanese companies Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), and Nihon Shipyard, a joint venture for ship design and sales between Imabari Shipbuilding and Japan Marine United Corporation. Compatriot companies Mitsui & Co., Mitsubishi Corporation and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, also worked on the design.

ABS also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HD KSOE to advance the development and certification of innovative systems for next-generation, zero-carbon ships.