Lloyd's Register (LR) has signed an agreement for a joint development project (JDP) with China Merchants Energy Shipping Co., Ltd. (CMES), CNOOC Gas and Power Group, Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. (DSIC), and GazTransport and Technigaz SA (GTT) to design an LNG-fuelled Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), LR said in its release.
The JDP will evaluate design options for an LNG-fuelled VLCC that uses a prismatic GTT Mark III membrane LNG tank. The scope of the JDP includes reviewing solutions to minimise construction costs for LNG-fuelled ships, while ensuring operational flexibility and efficiency, with the location of tanks as well as tank sizes to allow for round trip voyages under consideration.
LR will conduct a risk assessment and review the design in accordance with the latest regulatory requirements and will ensure it meets LR’s Rules to issue an Approval in Principle.