Lloyd’s Register (LR) and HD Hyundai Mipo (HMD) have announced a Joint Development Project (JDP) to design a 22,000 CBM class LNG bunkering vessel.
The project, which was formally recognised with an Approval in Principle (AiP) ceremony at Gastech 2025 in Milan, aims to deliver a safe, commercially viable and regulation-compliant vessel to meet the rising demand for LNG bunkering.
The 22K design offers increased delivery capacity, which potentially reduces bunkering time and frequency, lowering costs for operators, while allowing HMD to meet the evolving needs of charterers. However, the larger size may encounter operational restrictions in certain ports, requiring careful design consideration.
LR will conduct a full drawing appraisal and issue the AiP in accordance with its classification rules and international standards. The vessel will be optimised for cost-efficiency, operational safety and future compliance, offering shipowners a practical solution for LNG fuel delivery.
Sung-gu Park, LR’s North East Asia President, said: “This collaboration demonstrates a joint effort to support the roll-out of the LNG bunkering supply chain. By integrating technical development with regulatory standards, we can deliver safely, adequate volumes of LNG to ensure supply at scale for the growing LNG fuelled fleet.”
Lee Dong-jin, Executive Vice President / Head of Initial Design Division & Detailed Design Division at HD Hyundai Mipo, said: “LNG as an alternative fuel is attracting attention, and we realise that the demand for LNG bunkering vessels is increasing, with the rise of LNG-fuelled vessels. With this AIP from LR, we are able to expand our LNG bunkering vessel portfolio and position ourselves as a leader in the fast-growing LNG bunkering market.”