SHI, DNV GL Partner Up on New LNG Carrier Designs

South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and Norway-based classification society DNV GL have signed a joint development project (JDP) agreement focused on the development of new LNG carrier designs.

The contract was inked at the DNV GL Group head office in Høvik during Nor-Shipping, a maritime trade fair being held in Oslo from May 30 to June 2.

The JDP aims to develop two 30K LNG carrier designs, one with membrane type LNG tanks and one with type-C (pressurized) LNG tanks.

The scope of the JDP covers the design review, safety analysis, market research, various structural and safety evaluations, and if successful will culminate in the award of an approval in principle (AiP) from DNV GL, according to the classification society.

“The present business environment requires that the shipping industry moves further towards eco-friendly operations due to environmental concerns, recent international regulations, as well as rises in fuel oil prices,” Mun-Keun Ha, Senior Executive Vice President of SHI, said.

“This new joint development project between DNV GL and SHI will improve the business strategies of both parties,” he added.

“We are very pleased that SHI has chosen us to participate in the project…Offering owners and operators more options to manage their operations more efficiently and sustainably is important in today’s extremely competitive market. We look forward to the further development of the design and its future success,” Tommy Bjørnsen, DNV GL’s Regional Manager Maritime Korea & Japan, commented.

As informed, the idea for a 30K LNG carrier originates from SHI’s own research. Namely, SHI decided to develop both membrane and type C designs in parallel to give owners more options and expects that some owners may opt for type-C tanks on smaller tonnage, as is common in LNG bunkering vessels.