South Korea’s HD Hyundai and Singapore’s BW LNG to begin construction of the world’s first three-tank LNG carriers
Sea-news.az reports citing Seanews.az, that South Korea’s “HD Hyundai” company and Singapore’s “BW LNG” company are commencing the construction of the world’s first three-tank LNG carriers. The new project makes it possible to increase cargo-carrying capacity by up to 2,800 cubic meters (1.6 percent) without increasing the vessel’s dimensions, while avoiding terminal restrictions for large ships.
The project for the 176,800-cubic-meter capacity vessels was developed by HD Hyundai with the participation of France’s GTT company, shipowner BW, and the DNV classification society. BW placed an order for the first four vessels under this project in June.
The three-tank system creates additional cargo space by removing one insulated cofferdam in a traditional 174,000-cubic-meter LNG carrier. At the same time, the reduction in the total surface area of the tanks decreases daily LNG boil-off losses by approximately 6 percent. A flexible system that also allows for partial loading of cargo will be applied on the vessels.
In the new project, risks associated with dynamic loads arising from the movement of cargo inside the tank have been accounted for through strength calculations, structural and thermal reinforcements. The vessels will utilize the proven “Mark III” membrane technology.
The four vessels will be built by HD Hyundai Samho, and they are scheduled for delivery from the fourth quarter of 2028 to the third quarter of 2029. The vessels will be equipped with low-pressure, two-stroke dual-fuel WinGD X-DF 2.2 engines and shaft generators.
