DNV grants AiP to HMD for eco-friendly intra-Europe feeder ship

Norway-based classification society DNV (formerly DNV GL) has awarded approval in principle (AiP) to South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) for a new design of intra-Europe 1,900 TEU feeder container ships.

As informed, the AiP is the result of a joint development project between DNV and HMD to develop “a highly efficient and reliable” feeder vessel design to respond to the European shortsea container market.

The design was reviewed for compliance with DNV’s rules for container ships, including the option of using LNG as a ship fuel.

DNV also provided technical support on the basic design in terms of stability, cargo loading and unloading, and the machinery arrangement concept and accommodation.

“With the AiP, we are confident HMD can supply feeder ships optimized to operate within Europe,” Young Jun Nam, CTO & Executive Vice President at HMD, commented.

“Euro-Congreen 1,900 is focused on cargo loading and superior fuel consumption as countermeasures to stricter carbon footprint regulations and future demand…The ships will also be ready to use LNG as fuel and other alternative fuels.”

Similar to the previous Congreen 1,800 TEU design development project, the flexible design ensures extended Euro-size container stowage in the hold and on deck, and 45 feet of container stowage in a designated hold and on deck.

The ship also fulfills the requirements of EEDI phase III at diesel mode by a wide margin. A new LNG fuel concept, with a type C tank located behind the deckhouse, was also applied as an option and incorporates the latest version of the 6S60ME-C10.5 main engine.

“The AiP comes at a time when European shortsea shipping is growing rapidly, and when ships that comply with environmental regulations are needed to an unprecedented degree,” Vidar Dolonen, Maritime Regional Manager Korea & Japan at DNV, said.

The DNV Container Excellence Centre in Hamburg provided technical advice to HMD during the JDP period to enhance the cargo optimisation and assess the design’s compliance with environmental requirements, including EEXI.