LR, HHI, HMD Team Up on STS LNG Bunkering Study

Lloyd's Register International classification society Lloyds Register (LR) and South Korean shipbuilders Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) have signed a joint development project (JDP) to produce a ship-to-ship (STS) liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering compatibility study.  The study is expected to review the design requirements between 6.600 m³ LNG bunkering ships and 14,000 TEU LNG-fuelled containerships with the goal of verifying safe STS bunkering. The study aims to help all stakeholders with interest in LNG as fuel to envisage a clear picture of possible options for LNG supply infrastructure. It follows LR’s previous work with LNG-fuelled ship projects with HHI and LNG bunkering ships with HMD, LR said. According to LR, there are no existing standards or guidelines that cover the design and procedure for safe STS LNG bunkering. However, this method is preferable for many port authorities for safe and effective port operation and also preferable for ship operators due to cost-effective convenience.  “We expect that these studies will help mature the design for LNG-fuelled ultra-large containerships (ULCS), Byeong-Rok Lee, Senior Vice President, Head of Initial Design Office, HHI, said. LR, HHI and HMD plan to expand the study for other ship types, including VLCC and Suezmax, following the completion of ULCS study.