HD Hyundai Mipo casts off with the go-ahead from LR for its 20,000 cbm LCO₂ carrier

South Korea’s shipbuilder HD Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) has secured an approval in principle (AiP) from the UK-based classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) for a 20,000 cbm liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO₂) carrier, signalling a ‘step forward’ in bolstering carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies as the push for carbon emission reduction intensifies.

As disclosed, the approval—which was unveiled on September 19 at the 2024 energy conference GasTech, held in Houston, Texas—comes as part of a joint development project (JDP) between HMD and LR, focusing on the operational and design feasibility of the LCO₂ carrier.

HMD 20,000 cbm LCO₂ carrier has reportedly been engineered to support the growing significance of CCS in the global energy transition; namely, as per a statement from LR, the vessel is a part of efforts to align with the goals of the Paris Agreement, targeting net-zero emissions by 2050.

A ‘key’ innovation in the vessel’s design is said to be its optimized cargo tank arrangement, which is expected to improve cost efficiency whilst maintaining a design pressure limit of 19 bar.

As informed, during the development process, LR paid close attention to fracture mechanics, having conducted an engineering critical assessment (ECA) on the cargo tanks, made from high-strength 690 MPa minimum yield strength material.

“Our ongoing collaboration with has equipped both HMD and LR with invaluable expertise and insights into LCO₂ cargo tank design,” said Dongjin Lee, Vice President of Head of Initial Design division at HMD.

According to LR, the project between the classification society and the South Korean shipbuilder builds upon earlier collaborations, such as the construction of four 22,000 cbm low-pressure LCO₂ carriers, fitted with IMO Type C storage tanks—which feature lighter scantling that maintains the tanks’ structural integrity—and a cargo handling system said to be capable of accomodating CO₂, ammonia (NH₃) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

To remind, in August 2024, HMD held a steel cutting ceremony for a 22,000 cbm LCO₂ carrier at its Ulsan headquarters, becoming the first company in the domestic shipbuilding company to construct such a vessel. HMD stated at that time that the carrier was the first of four of the same class vessels ordered from Greece’s Capital Maritime Group between July 2023 and January 2024.

With a length of 159.9 meters, a width of 27.4 meters and a height of 17 meters, an ice-resistant design technology (Ice Class 1C), allowing for safe navigation on icy seas, the vessel is considered to be the largest carbon dioxide carrier ordered in the world to date.

HMD also received an approval in principle (AiP) from Norway-based classification society DNV at this year’s GasTech for its its 60,000 cbm LPG/NH3/VCM carrier design. This vessel is said to have the potential to achieve ‘superior fuel efficiency’ through an optimized hull design, compared to existing LGCs.