HANJIN HEAVY INDUSTRIES

- Technology excellence proven again by winning basic approval from Lloyd’s Register (LR)

HJ Shipbuilding & Construction (HJSC) said in a statement that it obtained the approval in principle (AiP) for a 7,700-TEU LNG dual-fuel containership from Lloyd’s Register (LR). 

A 7,000 TEU-level container carrier for which global demand has continuously been rising since last year is HJSC’s flagship model. The South Korean shipbuilder signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with LR in November 2021. Since then, the multinational shipbuilding company has designed the LNG-fueled vessel while LR reviewed and approved the design. 

The 7,700-TEU LNG-fueled container vessel has a length of 272 meters and a cruise speed of 22 knots. Based on the latest hull-form technology, in addition, the LNG tank with a 6,000 cbm capacity features GTT’s Mark III membrane system, maximizing container load in optimum arrangements.

With this design approval, HJSC said that it has secured high-efficiency, eco-friendly shipbuilding technology with which the company can meet the environmental regulations of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and respond to diverse client needs and rapidly changing market needs instantly.

The IMO rules started to tighten in 2020, and there has been a rising demand for eco-friendly fuel vessels since then. Under such new circumstances, the leader in container shipbuilding has accelerated R&Ds on eco-friendly ships with a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fuel costs to enhance its order competitiveness and respond to market changes effectively. 

This project is also designed to meet all international rules and regulations including the IMO’s limit on Sox emissions and LR’s gas-fuelled rules and the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code). 

An official from HJSC said, “Recently, carbon neutrality has emerged as a hot issue in the shipping and shipbuilding industries. From a long-term perspective, the demand for energy-efficient vessels propelled by alternative fuels such as methanol, ammonia and hydrogen would further increase.” He continued, “We keep moving forward to remain competitive through the development of core technologies and continued R&Ds on diverse ships powered by environment-friendly fuels.”