KR grants approval for LNG boil-off gas treatment system

Korean Register (KR) has granted an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an LNG Boil-off Gas (BOG) Treatment System jointly developed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) and Donghwa Pneutec.

The AiP, awarded in cooperation with the Liberian Registry (LISCR), is based on a concept proposed by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE).

The newly developed BOG treatment system is designed for installation and operation both onboard vessels and along quays during berth. It can process up to 0.5 tonne of BOG per hour, converting it into city gas for onshore energy use.

This enables shipyards to recover BOG generated during vessel construction, reducing both GHG emissions and fuel losses.

Shipowners, in turn, can safely manage surplus gas during extended port stays or when Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) is required, ensuring compliance with stricter environmental regulations.

The joint development project was completed through close cooperation between the shipyard, equipment manufacturer, classification society, and flag administration, building upon HD KSOE’s concept design.

In June this year, the system was applied to an 8,000 TEU LNG dual-fuelled containership under construction, where it completed demonstration trials, verifying its performance.

The system is a practical solution to reduce carbon emissions across the lifecycle of LNG dual-fuelled vessels and is expected to contribute significantly to the maritime industry’s decarbonisation goals.

An official from HD Hyundai said: “This AiP marks the world’s first validation of LNG boil-off gas treatment technology, underscoring our commitment to advancing greener shipbuilding for LNG-fuelled vessels and driving decarbonisation across the maritime industry.”

LEE Hyungchul, Chairman & CEO of KR, concluded: “This AiP marks a meaningful achievement in reducing GHG emissions from LNG-fuelled vessels, both during construction and while at berth.

“KR will continue to work closely with industry partners to ensure the smooth commercialisation of new technologies and to drive a more sustainable maritime industry.”

Earlier this summer, KR and HD Hyundai Samho signed an MoU to jointly develop AI-driven solutions aimed at innovating ship design and analysis.