UK-based maritime classification society Lloyd's Register (LR) has partnered with Woodside Energy, Anangel Maritime Services, Hyundai Heavy Industries, and General Electric Company to begin a collaborative ship designing project.
The newly announced programme will explore the suitability of technologies for large ships, including dual-fuel powered very large ore carrier (VLOC) vessels.
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It will also evaluate the design and potential benefits of next-generation liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelled propulsion systems for VLOCs.
LR and its partners have also outlined a series of programmes to address the design, construction and operational aspects of LNG bunkering under the new initiative.
The project will ultimately see the creation of a modern, cost-efficient, safe, reliable and environmentally-friendly VLOC design.
Maritime companies have been exploring new ship designs in order to replace traditional oil-fuelled designs with alternative fuel systems following the introduction of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) nitrogen oxide and sulphur oxide emission limitations, as well as the recent increase in the global supply of gas.
Additionally, LR signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with IHS Markit earlier this month to explore a collaborative relationship for future subsurface software development projects.
The deal also aims to explore a partnership that could combine LR’s petrophysical solutions suite and IHS Kingdom solution’s existing geological and geophysical functionality.
Image: Lloyd’s Register, Woodside Energy, Anangel Maritime Services, Hyundai Heavy Industries, and General Electric Company representatives. Photo: courtesy of Lloyd's Register Group Services Limited.
