ClassNK Grants AIP for LPG Dual-fuel Bulker

Classification society ClassNK granted Approval in Principle (AIP) for a 180,000 DWT liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) dual-fuel bulk carrier concept design developed by Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. in cooperation with Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.

The AiP was granted to the concept design based on ClassNK’s Guidelines for Ships Using Low-Flashpoint Fuels and its Rule Part GF (regulation for ships using low-flashpoint fuels) incorporating “International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code), the current IMO Res. MSC.391(95) and the MSC.458(101) revision planned for release in 2024. This was the first LPG dual fueled bulk carrier in the world to be granted an AIP.

According to Imabari, the design eliminates the need for special consideration of boil off gas with this design handling LPG at room temperature and high pressure, which makes the ship’s operation easier.

In addition, the design eliminates the use of low-temperature materials such as stainless steel and cryogenic insulation, which helps save costs, the shipbuilder said

LPG supply bases and infrastructure facilities are globally more developed and improved, which makes the ship’s operation more flexible, the builder noted. 

The LPG tank is planned/designed to be installed in the aft area of the bridge and with round-trip distance capacity between Japan and Australia.