KR Directs Build of Green Equipment Certification Center

The Korean Register, an IACS member classification society, is leading a project to build and operate the world’s first green-ship equipment certification center in Gunsan, Jeonbuk, Korea which is due to open in February 2014.

Work is already underway and the new $269 million won facility is being constructed with the full support of the Korean Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the local government and various research institutes.

The project has been created in response to IMO’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction and maritime pollution regulations and will enable KR to lead the way in certifying essential green-ship components, including engines.

The new center will be equipped with an 8MW-class engine test-bed, hybrid power systems, a fuel Q/P and emission bench, Organic Ranking Cycle (ORC) systems and other facilities.

The 8MW-class engine test-bed is the first to be available anywhere in the world and is attracting significant interest from major shipyards.

The certification center will become a global focus for green-ship equipment and machinery, KR said.

The center will conduct inspections, certification, R&D and act as a test hub for new technologies.

KR Chairman and CEO, Dr Chon Young-kee said, “We take our environmental obligations extremely seriously and we want to do all we can to encourage the maritime industry to be as green and clean as it can be. This dedicated new facility will allow us to take the leading role in green-ship technology and become the global benchmark for testing and certifying vessel machinery. “

krs.co.kr