DNV at Posidonia 2026: DNV awards AiP to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for independent Type B LPG cargo tank design for VLGCs

Piraeus, June 5, 2026 — DNV has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for their independent Type B LPG cargo tank design for Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs). The certificate was presented to Hongryeul Ryu, CTO from HHI by Vidar Dolonen, Regional Manager at DNV during the Posidonia trade fair.

The AiP covers HHI's design for a new 90,000 m³ independent Type B containment system for LPG carriers. The utilization of Type B tanks in VLGCs is intended to enhance operational safety and maintenance accessibility over the service life of the vessel, while giving yards greater latitude in the selection of inner hull materials at the design stage.

Analysis of the new tank covers both crack propagation and fatigue analyses, in addition to the standard buckling and sloshing analysis carried out for type A tanks. The new design also aims to maximise structural reliability by preventing the propagation of surface defects through the tank wall over the design life of the tank. A partial secondary barrier in the form of a leak path used as a spray shield over all welded areas, together with four dedicated drip trays per tank, enhances the overall safety of the design. This design package is designed to contain leakages and protect the surrounding hull structure throughout the operational life of the vessel.

Hongryeul Ryu, CTO of HHI, commented: “With our first LPG carrier design incorporating an independent Type B cargo tank, we are advancing safer and more adaptable gas carrier solutions. DNV’s AiP builds confidence as we move toward practical application.”

Vidar Dolonen, Regional Manager Korea & Japan, DNV Maritime, said: "Introducing new containment solutions into established segments calls for careful technical scrutiny, which is why we are so pleased that HHI has chosen to trust DNV’s engineering insight on this exciting project. The Type B tank opens new design and operating choices for the VLGC market as owners look for longer asset lives, and to meet tighter safety and efficiency requirements. We look forward to continuing to build on this successful cooperation, supporting the development and realization of the project."

An Approval in Principle (AiP) is an independent assessment of a concept within a defined framework of requirements. It confirms the feasibility of the design and verifies that no significant technical barriers exist to its implementation.