The Liberian Registry highlighted the work of its Innovation & Energy Transition Team at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, where three Approval in Principle (AiP) ceremonies and three Joint Development Project (JDP) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremonies were held with leading maritime partners.
The ceremonies recognized collaboration among shipowners, shipyards, designers, classification societies, technology providers and the Liberian Registry. Together, the six projects demonstrated how early engagement established practical approval pathways while addressing technical, safety, regulatory and commercial considerations.
AiP CEREMONY 1: VesselWise - LNG Carrier Machinery Operation Optimization
The Liberian Registry and Lloyd’s Register presented Approvals in Principle to HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering for VesselWise, an AI-enabled function designed to autonomously optimize auxiliary machinery operations. Developed within HD KSOE’s Integrated Smartship Solution platform, the technology supports safer, more efficient and lower-carbon vessel operations while addressing performance and cybersecurity requirements. The approvals provide a foundation for further onboard validation and development.
AiP CEREMONY 2: Innovative Type-C Tank Designed Using Advanced Engineering Methods
The Liberian Registry and Lloyd’s Register issued Approvals in Principle for HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ optimized Type-C cargo tank design. The concept uses advanced direct calculations to reduce unnecessary tank weight and improve cost and operational efficiency while maintaining the required levels of safety and regulatory compliance.
AiP CEREMONY 3: Development of 12K Class BV for Cruise Ship
The Liberian Registry and DNV awarded Approvals in Principle to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for a 12,000 m³ LNG bunkering vessel designed specifically to service cruise ships. The concept removes conventional bridge wings to avoid interference with cruise-ship lifeboats and uses CCTV and surround-view monitoring to support safe operations. It enables more flexible ship-to-ship LNG bunkering without requiring a floating pontoon, while maintaining safety, regulatory compliance and operational reliability.
JDP MoU SIGNING CEREMONY 3: JDP of Fore-Accommodation LNG Carrier with WindWings
The Liberian Registry, Korean Register, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and BAR Technologies signed a joint development project agreement to assess the application of WindWings on a 174,000 m³ forward-accommodation LNG carrier. The project will evaluate the technology’s technical feasibility, safety and regulatory compliance, with the aim of reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the future commercial application of wind-assisted propulsion on LNG carriers.
The Liberian Registry’s Innovation & Energy Transition Team supported the early identification of appropriate approval pathways for the projects, including consideration of applicable IMO instruments and class rules, risk assessment, verification needs, and the evidence required for Approval in Principle or subsequent development.
“The six ceremonies at Gastech demonstrated the strength of early collaboration between shipyards, owners, class, technology providers and flag. By agreeing the approval basis and evidence pathway from the outset, innovative designs can progress with greater regulatory clarity and confidence,” said Alfonso Castillero, CEO, Liberian Registry.
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