LR Grants Jiangnan AiP for VLGC Design

Classification society Lloyd's Register has awarded Chinese shipbuilder Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co., Ltd with Approval in Principle (AiP) for its 91,000-cubic-meter very large gas carrier (VLGC).

The design, named “Panda 91T”, includes an liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) dual-fueled main engine and relevant fuel gas system, as well as an optional air lubrication system and the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) is approximately 40% lower than the base value, improving the efficiency of the VLGC design.

LR facilitated a basic-level hazard identification (HAZID) workshop for the LPG fuel supply system and associated technology in accordance with LR’s ShipRight Procedure for Risk-Based designs, confirming that the design meets international regulations and LR classification rules, specifically the construction and classification of ships for the carriage of liquefied gases in bulk and for gases or other low-flashpoints fuels.

“Jiangnan has secured seven VLGC contracts of Panda 86P this year with great support from LR, but considering LPG fuel capacity for a round trip, more than 6,000 cubic meters tank volume may be required. How to capture more space for gas and still keep full compatibility, ship dimensions, draught, manifold height, identical with conventional VLGC – Jiangnan’s designers were facing a big challenge.” Hu Keyi, Chief of Global Technology of Jiangnan Shipyard said. “With the help of the design philosophy of 'BrilliancE' type B tank developed for a Very Large Ethane Carrier (VLEC), Jiangnan has sufficient confidence to revolutionize hull configuration of traditional VLGCs.”

Hu Keyi added, “Jiangnan has performed a lot of essential engineering works for Panda 91T, and related class approval activities have been done as well. Panda 91T is now ready.”

Mark Darley, LR’s LR North Asia President, said, “This is a great milestone of our longstanding relationship with Jiangnan, demonstrating the shipyard’s strong design capability in VLGCs and its clear understanding of our Rules and Regulations which we have rewarded with this AiP. We are proud to be part of the ‘new’ generation of such VLGCs, offering unique expertise to this gas ship market, and continue to support our customers in the delivery of safe, efficient and sustainable operations across the entire gas supply chain.”