The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has granted approval in principle (AIP) to HD Korea Shipbuilding and Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) for its design of a cargo handling system tailored for very large ethane carriers (VLECs).

The proposed system features a refrigerant-based reliquefaction mechanism alongside an ethane fuel supply system, which HD KSOE asserts will assist clients in minimising operational expenses.

ABS senior vice president and chief technology officer Patrick Ryan said: “Transporting ethane requires advanced technology to maintain stable temperature and pressure.

“ABS is proud to use our industry-leading expertise in gas carriers to support forward-thinking clients like HD KSOE and their next-generation vessel designs.”

The design underwent thorough reviews by ABS, adhering to the established ABS Rules for Building and Classing Marine Vessels.

HD KSOE SD business unit CEO Young-Jun Nam said: “The completion of the development of a competitive ethane cargo handling system for VLECs is significant as it adds to our eco-friendly equipment value chain.”

In September 2024, ABS and HD KSOE formalised their partnership through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing collaboration on pioneering technologies.

This agreement, signed during the Gastech 2024 event, is titled “Cooperation on the Advanced Zero-Carbon Ships” and centres on the integration of advanced technologies across three key domains.

These include the creation of a novel LNG cargo handling system designed to utilise a full re-liquefaction system to mitigate boil-off gas (BOG) for zero-carbon LNG carriers, and the establishment of an ammonia fuel supply system featuring pressure control for large commercial vessels.

It also comprises the development of an efficient integrated system that enhances re-liquefaction while utilising cold ammonia fuel supply to improve overall system efficiency and minimise energy consumption.

In January this year, HD KSOE obtained AIP from ABS for a tank design that improves large-scale hydrogen transport and storage.

The vacuum insulation system is designed to expedite vacuum creation in large tanks, a critical factor for hydrogen transportation.