HHI Showcases New LNG Cargo Tank System

Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has  received a General Approval from LR (Lloyd's Register) for the company's own-design LNG cargo tank, known as HiMEX.

A General Approval is a higher level of approval issued by LR than an AiP (Approval in Principle). Based on this latest approval granted, HHI plans to complete a full-fledged demonstration process of HiMEX by 2020.

HiMEX, HHI’s next-generation design solution for membrane-type LNG cargo tanks with full secondary barriers, features HHI-developed corrugation shape design, boasting the world’s highest level of structural stability to tolerate significant temperature variations from room temperature to an extreme cold environment (-163 degree Celsius) and to withstand the sloshing of LNG caused by hull movement in rough seas.

HHI Group also unveiled, in the limelight of ship owners, the latest achievements of its optimal solution for LNG carriers built on its own developed high-efficiency LNG fuel supply system (Hi-SGAS) and a single mixed refrigerant system (SMR).

Also introduced by the Group were innovative new technologies for boil-off gas treatment, a key area of technologies for LNG carriers, including an in-tank mixing system which helps minimize the generation of boil-off gas by inducing convection in an LNG tank and a buffer tank system which uses a subsidiary storage tank to liquefy and store boil-off gas.

“This new LNG system recently showcased and the General Approval granted by LR mean that our world-class technical excellence has been once again recognized,” said an official of HHI Group. “While staying committed to further advancing LNG-related technologies in conjunction with leading international providers of classification, we will also work on new technologies for future ship fuels and propulsion systems to enable decarbonization in shipping.”

HHI  received orders for 12 LNG carriers year-to-date, winning the largest volume of orders globally for two consecutive years, as well as orders for 12 LNG-fueled ships which are increasingly drawing attention as the next-generation eco-friendly vessels.