Lloyd’s Register (LR), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE) have secured approval in principle (AiP) for a 185,000 cbm LNG carrier design incorporating hybrid-electric propulsion.
The design is aimed at reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The project also supports work toward wider use of hybrid-electric technology in the LNG carrier market.
Under the project, LR, HHI and KSOE will develop and verify the safety of the vessel’s hybrid-electric propulsion system. Their work will focus on system architecture, redundancy and battery integration.
The three companies also plan to develop technical guidance and requirements for the technology. This work will provide a framework for its broader adoption as formal standards in the field continue to evolve.
LR said its involvement from the early stages would support the development of technical guidance and strengthen its ability to support future projects involving electric propulsion systems and low-carbon vessel concepts.
HHI used the project to assess the advantages and disadvantages of applying an advanced electric propulsion system.
Hongryeul Ryu, Executive Vice President and CTO of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, said the experience and insights gained from the project could provide a foundation for developing and implementing more efficient propulsion systems in the future.
The partners also expect the project to provide insights beyond LNG carriers. These could inform future developments involving electric propulsion, fuel cell integration and other advanced vessel concepts.
Kwang-Pil Chang, Senior Executive Vice President – Advanced Research Center at HD KSOE, said the company is continuing to develop electric propulsion technologies and solutions for application across a broader range of vessel types.
