HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ 20,000m³ LNG Bunkering Vessel Design Awarded Approval in Principle by Bureau Veritas

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd (HD HHI) and Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) have successfully concluded Joint Development Project (JDP) and design verification for a 20,000m3 LNG bunkering vessel (20K LNGBV), driving the advancement of next-generation LNG bunkering solutions. 

HD HHI’s proprietary hull designs have been meticulously developed to meet the future demands of the 20K LNGBV. Through comprehensive optimization of hull performance and rigorous design verification, the new design concepts deliver improved design efficiency and production advantages compared with existing 20K LNGBV designs. The 20K LNGBV design offers increased bunkering capacity, which enhances operational flexibility, reduces bunkering frequency and operating costs for operators, and enables HD HHI to meet the evolving needs of charterers.

Throughout this project, HD HHI developed technical specifications and conceptual drawings, including G/A, Process Flow Diagram (PFD), etc. in compliance with BV’s Rules and requirements as well as relevant regulations. Subsequently, HD HHI and BV agreed to jointly develop the new vessel designs to provide a practical solution for LNG fuel delivery and to obtain Approval in Principle (AiP).

BV carried out technical verification of the 20K LNGBV design based on the documentation submitted by HD HHI. The assessment covered all essential aspects of the vessel’s safety and operability, including structural integrity, LNG cargo containment and handling systems, process safety architecture, risk analysis, intact and damage stability performance, and full compliance with applicable regulatory frameworks.

This rigorous and collaborative evaluation confirmed that the 20K LNGBV design satisfies the required standards for safety, environmental protection, and operational efficiency, demonstrating the technical feasibility and robustness of the proposed concept. These collaborations represent significant milestones in the long-standing partnership between HD HHI and BV, showcasing their combined expertise and commitment to advancing next-generation bunkering vessel technology.

Dong-Jin Lee, Executive Vice President of Initial Design Office of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd., said: “Recent demand for LNG bunkering vessels has been remarkable with the rise of LNG-fueled vessels, and the market is expected to expand further in the future. With this AiP from BV, we can expand our LNG bunkering vessel portfolio and position ourselves as a leader in the fast-growing LNG bunkering market."