- ClassNK has issued the world’s first General Design Approval for a low-pressure liquefied CO₂ cargo tank that removes the need for post-weld heat treatment.
- The approval verifies compliance at the detailed design level using Engineering Critical Assessment (ECA).
- The design incorporates new KF460 steel, supporting future large-scale LCO₂ transport for carbon capture initiatives.
ClassNK has announced it has granted General Design Approval (GDA) for a newly developed low-pressure LCO₂ cargo tank from Mitsubishi Shipbuilding. The approval confirms the tank meets applicable design requirements at the detailed design stage — marking the first time such approval has been issued for this type of LCO₂ containment system.
The decision follows earlier approval in principle issued in 2024 for the ECA-based evaluation process.
Removing PWHT to Reduce Manufacturing Bottlenecks
The design applies Engineering Critical Assessment (ECA), a fracture-mechanics method used to evaluate structural integrity — enabling the tank to be constructed without post-weld heat treatment (PWHT), a process that can delay production, especially for large structures requiring furnace capacity.
Material performance for the new KF460 steel was assessed to meet ClassNK standards under the specified design temperature conditions.
Supporting Future LCO₂ Carrier Development
The tank evaluation was conducted in line with Part N of ClassNK’s Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships. With this GDA issued, the design can be positioned for future deployment in CO₂ carrier projects linked to carbon capture and storage supply chains.
ClassNK stated the approval reflects its ongoing role in supporting carbon-neutral technologies through safety validation and technical assessment
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Source: ClassNK
