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Wednesday, April 22, 2026

Liquefied Gas Carriers News

08 Sep 2025

ClassNK Okays Ammonia-Fueled Gas Carrier from Kawasaki and Mitsui

Ammonia fueled LPG/ammonia carrier (Credit: Kawasaki Heavy Industries)

ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for an ammonia-fueled LPG/NH3 carrier, applied for jointly by Kawasaki Heavy Industries and MITSUI E&S.The certification demonstrates its feasibility from regulatory and safety perspectives.Ammonia, which does not emit CO2 during combustion, is expected to see wider use as a zero-carbon fuel for ships. At present, various studies and development efforts are underway to bring ammonia fuelled ships into practical use.In 2021, prior to the establishment of specific international standards for the use of ammonia as fuel for ships…

17 Jul 2025

Amon Maritime, Navigator Holdings Partner for the Construction of Two Ammonia Gas Carriers

© Amon Maritime

Amon Maritime has entered into a joint venture with Navigator Holdings Ltd., the owner and operator of the world’s largest fleet of handysize liquefied gas carriers.Pursuant to the Joint Venture, Navigator will acquire approximately 80% of the joint venture company, Navigator Amon Shipping AS, of Norway, with Amon Maritime holding approximately 20%, subject to the investment terms and conditions. The Joint Venture intends to construct two new 51,530 cubic meter capacity ammonia fueled liquefied ammonia carriers…

04 Jun 2025

Korean Partners to Jointly Advance Cargo Tank Designs for Liquefied Gas Carriers

(Credit: KR)

KR (Korean Register) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with HD Hyundai Mipo and HD Korean Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) to collaborate on safe and sustainable tank design for green ships.The three parties aim to improve the structural safety and design reliability of IMO Type-C independent tanks - one of the most widely adopted containment systems for low-emission vessels.Type-C tanks are commonly used on small to mid-sized gas carriers and bunkering vessels due to their structural independence and ability to store high-pressure cargo…

27 Feb 2025

Ammonia-Fueled Bunkering Vessel gets ClassNK AIP

Ammonia-fuelled bunkering vessel Image Courtesy ClassNK

ClassNK issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an ammonia-fuelled bunkering vessel, a vessel is jointly developed by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) and LMG Marin AS (a member of the Seatrium Group).As ammonia as fuel is expected to be used in shipping to help shipowners meet tough new emission reduction targets, bunkering vessels that supply fuel to ships and related equipment will play an essential role in the supply chain. This vessel is being developed jointly by NYK Line…

27 Jan 2025

Third LNG Bunkering Vessel Joins Seaspan’s Fleet

Seaspan Energy’s 7,600m3 LNG bunkering vessel (Credit: Bureau Veritas)

The third 7,600 m3 LNG bunkering vessel, built by Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (CIMC SOE), has been delivered to Seaspan Energy.The vessel has been certified by Bure Veritas as part of its continued collaboration with leading shipbuilders, charterers, and shipyards to continue to support the development of LNG bunkering vessels, said to be a vital tool in supporting the maritime industry in its transition to more sustainable fuels.CIMC SOE’s vessel features advanced capabilities…

23 Jan 2025

GTT Finds Chinese Partner to Build Its Membrane Containment Systems

(Credit: GTT)

GTT has signed a technical assistance and license agreement with the Chinese shipyard Hengli Shipbuilding (Dalian), part of the Hengli Group, to build its membrane containment systems for various types of vessels.This agreement strengthens GTT's presence in China, enabling the broader deployment of its advanced technologies across the region.It will enable Hengli to offer advanced solutions using GTT’s membrane containment systems, for the construction of various type of vessels including LNG Carriers (LNGCs)…

19 Sep 2024

ABS Grants Approval for HMD’s LCO2 Cargo Containment System

(Credit: ABS)

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has granted an approval in principle (AiP) to HD Hyundai Mipo (HMD) for the design of cargo containment system for a liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier.HMD developed a cargo containment system optimized for a 35,000 cbm LCO2 carrier using new cargo tank materials.Ahead of issuing the AiP, ABS completed design reviews based on class and statutory requirements for liquefied gas carriers.“Capturing and transporting carbon are key components in the carbon value chain for the global energy transition.

07 Jun 2024

ECOLOG LCO2 Carrier Design Earns ABS Approval

(Image: ECOLOG)

ECOLOG's low pressure, shallow-draft, low carbon footprint 40,000 cbm liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier design has been awarded an approval in principle (AIP) from ABS, the classification society announced.This AIP is the result of cooperation within a joint industry project (JIP) on the detailed design development, taking into account LCO2 critical characteristics, including operational requirements with respect to low pressure and shallow draft. The design maximizes energy integration and minimizes greenhouse gas emissions.The project team included Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd.

02 Jun 2024

Bollard Pull Calculator App Updated

Source: Captain M. Baykal Yaylali

The smart phone “Bollard Pull Calculator” app produced by Captain M. Baykal Yaylali some four years ago has now been updated and expanded in function.The required tug power and number of tugs needed in variable wind and current currents is typically an assessment made by pilots based on their professional experience. However, these assessments can raise questions from lawyers if something goes wrong, says Yaylali.“A pilot has not so much time,” he says. “For a pilot, if tugs are needed, it is hard to calculate the required tug power just before or during ship manoeuvring.

07 Apr 2024

DNV Issues General Approval for Hybrid Support Structure

Source: DNV

DNV has presented HD Hyundai with a general approval for ship application (GASA) for a new high-strength composite hybrid support system for independent tanks on liquefied gas carriers.In a world-first, HD Hyundai’s concept is fabricated with a fusion of carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP) with a tensile strength 10 times greater than steel, significantly enhancing structural stability.The new system offers robust structural supports, enabling independent tanks to withstand upward force from floatation in case of hold space flooded.

28 Nov 2023

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Christens Liquefied CO2 Ship

Source: MHI

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding has held a christening and handover ceremony for a demonstration test ship to transport liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2).The ship will be used for the "CCUS R&D and Demonstration Related Project / Large-scale CCUS Demonstration in Tomakomai / Demonstration Project on CO2 Transportation" being conducted by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).The ceremony took place at the Enoura Plant of MHI's Shimonoseki Shipyard & Machinery Works in Yamaguchi Prefecture…

12 Sep 2023

ABS Joins Project to Develop 40K cbm LCO2 Carrier

Maritime classification society ABS has joined a pioneering joint industry project (JIP) to collaborate on the development of a detailed design of a 40K cbm liquified carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier that meets Class and statutory requirements with Ecolog Services Ltd. (ECOLOG), Hanwha Ocean Co., Ltd. and Babcock International Liquid Gas Equipment (LGE).According to ABS, the ultimate design will maximize energy integration and minimize greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while being cargo versatile and capable of offshore offloading…

05 Sep 2023

ClassNK Amends Rules for Seawater-lubricated Shafts

(Image: Thordon Bearings)

Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) has joined the major classification societies to amend its rules relating to the inspection of seawater-lubricated propeller shaft systems.The amendment means that ships with open seawater-lubricated propeller shafts that are built to ClassNK rules are subject to the same 15-year shaft withdrawal inspection periods as oil-lubricated shafts and sterntubes, subject to monitoring criteria.The announcement brings ClassNK’s requirements in line with those of other large class societies…

08 Jun 2023

KR Grants AIP for HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' New Tank Design

The left is Bumwoo HAN, Senior Vice President of HHI, and the right is Kyujin YEON, Head of KR's Plan Approval Center. (Photo: KR)

Korean Register (KR) has awarded an Approval in Principle (AIP) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) for a new type of tank shape designed for various liquefied gases and fuels. The announcement was made during Nor-Shipping 2023 in Oslo, Norway. The new tank shape, developed by HD HHI, is designed to improve safety and productivity.The new tank shape aims to address the challenge of sloshing that impacts the transportation of liquefied gases, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG). Sloshing refers to the wave-like movement of liquid inside a tank during sea transport.

02 Feb 2023

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and INPEX Complete Ammonia Bunkering Vessel Study

(Image: Mitsubishi Shipbuilding)

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding recently completed a conceptual study with INPEX CORPORATION for an ammonia bunkering vessel capable of supplying ammonia fuel to ships.Since ammonia does not emit carbon dioxide (CO2) when burned, it is expected to be utilized as a stable source of clean energy in the future, and is getting attention as a fuel that will greatly contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime industry.Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, a Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group company based in Yokohama…

30 Dec 2022

Seapeak Completes Evergas Acquisition

Canadian headquartered shipowner Seapeak on Thursday announced it has completed its previously announced acquisition of Danish shipping company Evergas from France-based Jaccar Holdings.Evergas, previously comprising Greenship Gas Trust and Greenship Gas Manager, is one of the world’s leading seaborne transporters of petrochemical gases and natural gas liquids (NGL).The cash deal, worth approximately $700 million, was announced in October and will see Evergas rebrand and operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Seapeak. Through the acquisition, Seapeak will add two very large ethane carriers (VLEC) and eight multigas/liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers to its fleet.Seapeak…

16 Sep 2021

ABS, DSME to Develop Very Large Liquefied CO2 Carrier

Credit: ABS

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and South Korea's Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering  (DSME) said Thursday they would jointly develop designs for a 70,000 CBM very large, liquefied CO2 (LCO2) carrier.The joint development project (JDP) is responding to the development of carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) technology, which will ultimately require larger vessels for CO2 transport than those used in the existing food industry.“CCUS can play a role in reducing emissions in a range of industries…

04 Jan 2021

ClassNK Releases LNG Bunkering Guidelines

© vladsv / Adobe Stock

Classification society ClassNK released its Guideline for Survey and Facilities/Equipment of LNG Bunkering Ships, which outline the additional safety requirements of gas carriers that supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel at sea.The number of LNG-fueled ships has been increasing in recent years as their CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions have a lower environmental load compared to ships that use conventional oil fuels. On the other hand, the facilities that supply LNG as fuel from quay facilities to general ships are still limited.

16 Dec 2020

BW Group Buys 39.1% Stake in Navigator Holdings

Private equity firm WL Ross & Co. said it has agreed to sell its approximately 39.1% equity interest in ship owner-operator Navigator Holdings to maritime and offshore company BW Group at a price of $9 per share."Navigator Holdings has been an industry leader since we made the initial investment. We think the company's future is bright, and this long-term investment from BW Group will position the company to realize its potential," said Hal Malone, Head of Transportation of WL Ross.Andreas Sohmen-Pao, Chairman of BW Group, said "BW is excited to be taking an ownership position in Navigator Holdings, a leading company in its sector, and…

11 Dec 2020

Jiangnan’s Digital VLGC Design Earns LR AIP

Classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) said it has awarded approval in principle (AIP) to Chinese shipbuilder Jiangnan Shipyard Co.

24 Nov 2020

ABS Awards Smart Notation to AET’s Eagle Passos

(Photo: ABS)

Classification society ABS said it has awarded AET the SMART (INF) Notation for the 152,700 DWT DP2 shuttle tanker Eagle Passos, which was built and delivered by South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (SHI).The first shuttle tanker to be granted an ABS Smart Notation, which recognizes the vessel’s data communication and network infrastructure, Eagle Passos will also be granted the Operational Performance Management (OPM) and Crew Assistance and Augmentation (CAA) class record comments in recognition of the optimization…

02 Nov 2020

ClassNK Publishes New Gas Carrier Guidelines

© Wojciech Wrzesień / Adobe Stock

Classification society ClassNK said it has released new guidelines that specify the technical requirements for evaluating structural strength using finite element analysis when designing membrane-type liquefied gas carriers.As with the society’s other guidelines for structural strength evaluation, its new Guidelines for Liquefied Gas Carrier Structures – Membrane System are based on ClassNK’s expertise evaluating technology for the wave load acting on the hull, and outline the…

27 Oct 2020

ABS Updates Its Shuttle Tanker Advisory

© Fotos von Schiffen / Adobe Stock

Classification society ABS announced Tuesday it has updated its Shuttle Tanker Advisory, offering insights on shuttle tanker design and operation all over the globe, with particular focus on Brazil, the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.The Advisory explains how ABS optional notations complement class and statutory requirements to fulfill varying regional and operational requirements. As well as exploring new technologies having an impact on the sector, the Advisory identifies…