Samsung Heavy Industries and DNV GL sign partnership for new LNG carrier design

DNV GL and Samsung Heavy Industries. Co., Ltd (SHI) signed a joint development project agreement focused on the development of new designs for LNG carriers. Mun-Keun Ha, Senior Executive Vice President of SHI and Tommy Bjørnsen, DNV GL’s Regional Manager Maritime Korea & Japan, signed the agreement at the DNV GL head office in Høvik, during NorShipping week.

“The present business environment requires that the shipping industry move further towards eco-friendly operations due to environmental concerns, recent international regulations, as well as rises in fuel oil prices,” said Mun-Keun Ha. “As leaders in reacting to new market trends in their specialised fields, this new joint development project (JDP) between DNV GL and SHI will improve the business strategies of both parties.”

The JDP aims to develop two 30K LNG carrier designs, one with membrane type LNG tanks and one with type-C (pressurised) LNG tanks. The scope of the JDP covers 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.

“We are very pleased that SHI has chosen us to participate in the project, trusting our expertise in the gas carrier sector,” says Tommy Bjørnsen. “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.”

The idea for a 30K LNGC originates from SHI's own research. SHI decided to develop both membrane and type C designs in parallel to give owners more options and expect that some owners may opt for type-C tanks on smaller tonnage, as is common in LNG bunkering vessels.