South Korean classification society, Korean Register (KR) and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) on Wednesday (9 December) completed the world’s first ship to ship (STS) liquified natural gas (LNG) loading for gas trial.
The SM JEJU LNG2 supplied LNG in the STS gas-trial to a 173,400 cbm LNG carrier. The demonstration took place at DSME’s Okpo Shipyard from 24-26 November, 2020.
KR and DSME have been working together since both companies signed an MOU on joint research for LNG bunkering. The agreement was signed by Lee Hyung-Chul, Chairman and CEO of KR, and Dr. Lee Seung Geun, CEO of DSME, last August.
The collaboration is part of a partnership agreement for LNG bunkering/transport work with Korean shipyards with the aim of “Developing standards for LNG bunkering procedures in Korea”, conducting “Risk evaluation of LNG bunkering operations,” and “Development of LNG bunkering to support technology based on standards and guidelines jointly developed by DSME and KR”.
Applying its extensive safety engineering technology, KR said it has identified a diverse range of potential hazards through its risk assessments for STS LNG loading/ transport operations between two ships and has suggested effective ways to reduce that risk to DSME.
A safer work environment and safety work procedures for workers have been developed as a result of a comprehensive study looking at the establishment of ‘CONTROL ZONES’ around the two ships during LNG transportation, noted KR.
DSME has demonstrated its own outstanding technology without vapor return to the bunkering vessel or venting to atmospheric areas during ship to ship LNG loading /transport operations.
DSME explained it is able to do this due to its technology in LNG offshore operations and BOG (boil off gas) control. To date, DSME has conducted eight gas trials without any methane slip to the atmosphere.
This project was carried out with close collaboration from DSME, KR, SM KLC, SM KLCSM, and KOGAS, which provided full support for LNG bunkering vessels and safety management technology and LNG supply.
Related: Korean Register introduces LNG Fuel and Bunkering Simulation Center in Busan
Related: South Korea: DSME inks LOI worth USD 1 billion to build 10 LNG dual fuel VLCCs
Related: Korea Gas Corporation forms consortium to establish LNG bunkering joint venture
Related: South Korean government opens tender to endorse LNG bunker tanker building project
Related: Korea: Construction of first bunkering ship for LNG-fuelled coastal vessels begins
Photo credit: Korean Register
Published: 10 December, 2020
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