HD HHI, Seoul National University team up on eco-friendly ship technology

South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) is working together with Seoul National University to develop eco-friendly ship technology through the advancement of sloshing technology in ship cargo holds.

On January 19, 2024, the duo signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on the cooperation for the development of eco-friendly ship technology.

As explained, sloshing refers to a phenomenon in which liquid cargo or fuel, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), is stored in the cargo hold of a ship and the liquid cargo is shaken by the movement of the ship. It is very important to measure this accurately when developing cargo holds, as impact loads resulting from sloshing can damage the cargo holds.

Under the new agreement, HD HHI and Seoul National University’s Marine Elasticity Research Center will jointly develop technology related to ship sloshing. Seoul National University’s Marine Oil Elasticity Research Center uses the center’s sloshing model test facilities to test complex sloshing phenomena that cannot be measured on actual ships for various eco-friendly cargoes and fuels such as LNG, liquefied ammonia, and liquefied hydrogen.

Based on the results of this experiment, HD HHI plans to further enhance the cargo hold design of eco-friendly ships and strengthen technological competitiveness.

“We expect to further enhance the technological capabilities of next-generation eco-friendly ships through industry-academia cooperation with Seoul National University’s Marine Oil Elasticity Research Center, which has diverse research experience and international expertise,” Lee Hyun-ho, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Research Center Director, said.

Seoul National University’s Marine Elasticity Research Center has a total of three types of model testing facilities with a maximum kinetic load of 1.5 tons to 14 tons. To date, the research encompassed various ship types such as LNG carriers, LNG-FSRU, FLNG, LNG dual-fuel propulsion ships as well as bunkering vessels.

“We are accumulating research know-how by conducting the above experiments and are also taking the lead in related international standardization,” according to the Seoul National University.

In related news, HD HHI received approval in principle (AiP) last year from the classification society Korean Register (KR) for a new type of tank shape with sloshing-restrained technology designed for various liquefied gases and fuels.

Specifically, the design aims to address the challenge of sloshing that impacts the transportation of liquefied gases, such as LNG.