Lloyd’s Register (LR) has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for its pioneering LNG carrier design.
Developed in collaboration with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) and the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator, the next-generation vessel features a forward accommodation layout and integrated Wind Challenger wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS), marking a significant step toward decarbonizing maritime transport.
Innovative Design for Efficiency and Sustainability
The new LNG carrier concept relocates the accommodation and bridge block from the traditional aft position to the bow. This fore-deckhouse layout reduces aerodynamic drag, improves propulsion efficiency, and enhances fuel savings.
Additionally, the design creates a large, unobstructed deck area above the cargo holds, providing optimal flexibility for installing WAPS technologies such as MOL’s Wind Challenger. The open space allows for variations in sail type, number, and spacing, maximizing energy efficiency and adaptability.
Beyond wind propulsion, the design supports the integration of alternative fuel modules and battery storage systems, ensuring compatibility with evolving fuel technologies, regulatory requirements, and owner preferences.
Rigorous Evaluation and Industry Endorsement
LR’s Approval in Principle followed a comprehensive technical review assessing safety, feasibility, and regulatory compliance, including IMO requirements, class rules, and structured risk assessments such as HAZID.
Industry leaders welcomed the milestone:
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Panos Mitrou, LR: “This AiP reflects LR’s commitment to enabling the safe deployment of innovative technologies that support the maritime industry’s transition to net zero. By working closely with our project partners, we help demonstrate the technical feasibility and commercial value of forward-thinking vessel design.”
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Hong-Ryeul Ryu, HHI: “This AiP highlights HHI’s pioneering forward accommodation LNG carrier design, underscoring our unwavering commitment to sustainability and readiness to embrace advanced decarbonization technologies, including WAPS.”
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Yoshihiko Sugimoto, MOL: “With the valued collaboration of Lloyd’s Register and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, we are delighted to receive this AiP for HHI’s next-generation LNG carrier design featuring MOL’s Wind Challenger technology. This milestone highlights our unwavering commitment to leading the decarbonisation of the maritime industry and accelerating progress toward our medium- to long-term target of achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2050.”
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David Wamsley, Marshall Islands: “This AiP for a next-generation vessel is a great example of what can be achieved when industry leaders align. By proactively integrating the latest innovations with the clear regulatory direction for decarbonization, stakeholders are not just designing a ship they are creating a sustainable and profitable future for maritime transport. This partnership allows us to pool our expertise, mitigate risks, and accelerate the development of solutions that would be impossible to achieve alone.”
The AiP for HHI’s next-generation LNG carrier demonstrates how innovative vessel design, wind-assisted propulsion, and alternative fuel readiness can support the maritime industry’s path to net zero. By combining technological innovation with regulatory alignment and cross-industry collaboration, the project sets a new benchmark for future-ready LNG carriers.
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Source: LR
