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South Korea building world’s first ballast-free LNG bunkering vessel

08 Feb 2018

The Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) is building a 7,600 cubic metre (m3) liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel that is scheduled for delivery to Bernhard Schulte Ship management in 2018.

A special feature of the ship is that it will not require a ballast tank to operate, says Lloyd’s Register (LR).

The introduction of steel-hulled ships required the use of ballast water for the safe and efficient operation of vessels, but it also poses an ecological, economic and health threat because of the increased number of species that could be moved from one place to another.

The entry into force of the IMO's Ballast Water Management Convention in September 2017 will require all ships constructed (keel lay date) on or after the date to be fitted with a ballast water treatment system at delivery.

As such, HMD is looking to address this problem through the development of this vessel without the need for a ballast water treatment system.

“The ballast-free concept will be made a reality by the technology expertise of HMD. We aim to stand out in the field of eco-friendly business practice,” said Seung-Ho Jeon, SVP of HMD Initial Planning Division.

The ballast-free concept also means the vessel will not need to install a ballast water treatment system and it also removes the need to comply with the Performance Standard for Protective Coatings for ballast tanks and related regulation, enabling maintenance costs savings.

“We are delighted to work with the shipyard helping the marine industry bring innovative designs to the market,” notes Jin-Tae Lee, Ph.D, LR's Korea Chief Representative & Marine Manager.

“We believe that this design is another remarkable development for HMD to realise the industry's need for safe, efficient and clean requirements in the shipping industry worldwide.”

Photo credit: LR
Publication date: 8 February 2018
 

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