World’s Largest LNG-Fuelled Ship about to Enter the Market

South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) is about to close the year with a bang, as it gears up for the delivery of the world’s largest LNG-fuelled ship.

Namely, Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD), part of the HHI Group, will deliver this month a 50,000 dwt bulk carrier with a high manganese LNG fuel tank.

The ship was ordered in 2016 and is being built for Ilshin Logistics in collaboration with steelmaker Posco. The vessel is the largest bulk carrier ever ordered to use LNG as fuel.

Once delivered, the bulker will transport limestone cargoes in the Korean coastal trade for Posco.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) and the Korean Register (KR) are providing dual classification and certification, verifying compliance with the International Gas Fuel (IGF) Code.

The new type of cryogenic steel, developed by Posco, is high in manganese and is used for the 500 m³ capacity Type ‘C’ LNG fuel tank, located on the aft mooring deck. The properties and characteristics of the high-manganese steel, as well as the required welding technology, have been proven suitable for cryogenic applications, according to LR.

HHI is making strides in the construction of LNG-powered ships and has recently signed a contract to build the world’s first LNG-fuelled aframax tanker.

In addition, the shipbuilder and LR have almost completed the design of 180,000 dwt class bulk carriers. The design development is in the process of receiving approval in principle.

As disclosed by LR, this design is optimised for short to medium-haul bulk trade (i.e. Australia – Asia) and long-haul bulk trade (i.e. Brazil – Asia) service, in line with Harmonised Common Structural Rules.

To decide the optimum location and type of LNG tanks for these designs, the shipyard conducted several case studies for competitive CAPEX and OPEX.

As a result, LNG fuel tanks with Posco high manganese steel or 9% nickel steel were chosen. They will be located on the aft mooring deck because of the amount of LNG that will be required for the Australia – Asia route. For the long-haul route, a larger sized LNG storage tank can be fitted in the mid-part of the vessel.

Additionally, Woodside, Anangel, GE, LR and HHI signed a joint industry project agreement to develop an LNG-fuelled 250,000 dwt very large ore carrier operating on the Australia – Asia iron ore trade route. The HAZID analysis of this design, to verify the safety level, was recently completed with all parties in Seoul. The LNG tanks are also based on the Posco high manganese steel or 9% nickel steel design.

“We believe that HHI’s efforts can offer the possibility that will help owners comply with emission regulations with a reliable and competitive solution,” LR’s Jin-Tae Lee, Korea Chief Representative & Marine Manager, said.

“We believe that our work in creating environmentally-friendly designs is more of a mission than a choice, which will lead to a cleaner shipping industry and a greener world. We hope that the first beneficiary of this effort will be the shipping industry,” Hyung Kwan Kim, HHI’s Senior Executive Vice President, commented.