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.