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Korea unveils ‘largest’ LNG-propelled bulk carrier

25 Dec 2017

A liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered bulk carrier named Green Iris has been launched at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard on 22 December.

The Green Iris will be used to transport limestone used by South Korea’s POSCO, from the East Sea port of Gangwon Province to its Gwangyang Works facility from the beginning of 2018.

The 50,000 deadweight tonne (dwt) vessel is currently the ‘largest’ in existence, says the multinational steel-making company headquartered at Pohang.
It noted the vessel’s LNG fuel tanks to be made of high manganese steel, which has never been done before.

“The high manganese steel used in the fuel tank of this ship is able to withstand temperatures of -196 degrees celcius, which is not only suitable for storage and transportation of LNG but also has excellent weldability compared to nickel steel and aluminium alloy,” says POSCO.

It is the first time high manganese steel has been used in such an application, after 10 years of research since the late 2000 period.

According to POSCO, more than 50 people attended the vessel launch event, including representatives from the Ocean Policy Department, Industry and Commerce Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Hyundai and Ilshin Logistics.

“In recent years, the demand for LNG tanks is expected to increase dramatically as international shipbuilders are expected to increase the amount of LNG-propelled vessels by strengthening environmental regulations on ships' emissions of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide,” notes POSCO.

Manifold Times reported Korean yard Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) organising a technology briefing session in mid-December to unveil the design of a 180,000 and 250,000 LNG-propelled bulk carrier.

Photo credit: Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy
Published: 26 December, 2017

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