KSB-built 50,000 dwt LNG dual-fuel MR tanker classed by LR

Arctic Tern, a 50,000 dwt liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel medium-range (MR) tanker recently built by K Shipbuilding, has been classed by the UK classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR).

As disclosed, the MR tanker runs on both LNG and conventional marine fuel, allowing the vessel to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as well as improve its operational efficiency.

In July 2024, South Korean shipbuilding company K Shipbuilding (KSB) completed the construction of Arctic Tern, which is its first 50,000 dwt LNG ship, propelling the yard a step further as it sails toward its ‘eco-friendly targets’.

Arctic Tern—which was contracted in October 2021, and began construction in June 2023—measures 182.9 meters in length, 32.2 in width and 19.1 meters in depth.

According to Lloyd’s Register, the vessel is managed by Danish ship management company Synergy Denmark A/S and chartered by French agricultural merchant firm Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC).

As informed, the LR team in South Korea was heavily engaged with the entire design and building process of the tanker, having worked closely with KSB and its partners to wrap up the construction of Arctic Tern.

KSB has so far delivered over 240 MR tankers, with Arctic Tern being the first to be dual-fuelled. Currently, the company has 39 tankers on order, nine of which are expected to be delivered by the end of 2024, according to London-based data provider, VesselsValue. The remaining tankers on order are slated for delivery throughout 2025 and 2026.

In March this year, the South Korean shipbuilder signed the first Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Swedish sustainable solutions provider Alfa Laval for the installation of the OceanGlide air lubrication system intended for K Shipbuilding’s newbuilding projects, such as medium-range and long-range tankers.

Just months later, in June 2024, K Shipbuilding, Alfa Naval, Swiss engine designer WinGD and the classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) signed a MoU to work on the development of an ammonia-fueled MR tanker.

WinGD is set to work with KSB to deliver the fuel gas system specifications that will be suitable for the vessel application and the 6X52DF‑A engine from WinGD to be featured in the ship’s design. Alfa Laval’s role will reportedly be to deliver the detailed documentation for the final fuel gas system design, whereas ABS will be in charge of the review and the issuing of approval in principle (AiP).