ABS issued has an approval in principle (AIP) to Hudong-Zhonghua (HZ) Shipyard for its liquified natural gas (LNG) carrier design, currently the world’s largest with 271,000 cubic meters of cargo tank capacity.
According to ABS, the design features flexible dual-fuel propulsion and an air lubrication system for more sustainable operations. The synergy of a more efficient hull and the use of low-carbon fuel in the fuel-efficient engine is expected to translate to the lowering of the overall carbon footprint of the vessel.
"Vessels with larger capacities and modern, efficient propulsion systems will be integral to sustainably supporting future LNG needs around the world",
said John McDonald, ABS President and COO.
The design is also equipped with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) that should reduce its nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, which will help the vessel comply with IMO Tier III controls even when in diesel mode, ABS adds.
This newly designed LNG tank is equipped with an enhanced cargo containment system together with a real-time sloshing monitoring system, and the vessel is equipped with a hull stress monitoring and an anti-collision system, features that, ABS notes, are not normally found on LNG carriers.
"A Global Max type 271K LNGC will have a lower carbon intensity index (CII), about 23 percent lower than a conventional 174K LNGC, which will enable the vessel to get longer qualified service years free of operation limitations", said Song wei, Head of Technical Department, Hudong-Zhonghua
With the AIP secured, the 344-meter vessel design now enters additional design and analysis work before being presented to potential owners.
Source: Safety4sea
