LR Awards Digital Twin Ready AiP to HHI for Gas Containment Tank

September 10, 2020

Luis Benito, LR’s Marine & Offshore Innovation and Co-creation Director (right) presents the Digital Twin Ready AiP to Seung-Ho Jeon, Executive Vice President of HHI Initial Design Division. (Photo: Lloyd’s Register)

Lloyd’s Register (LR) said it has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for its Digital Health Management (DHM) System for a Type B gas containment tank, following a Joint Development Project (JDP) between the two parties launched in November 2019.

The system, Hyundai Prismatic Independent IMO Type B Tank eXcellence (HiPIX), has been assessed by LR’s digital experts against LR’s ShipRight Procedure for Digital Compliance, resulting in HiPIX receiving Digital Twin Ready AiP.

This approval sets HHI on the path to become a DHM provider to the maritime industry, offering customers the possibility to operate and maintain their ships’ Type B gas containment tanks in an optimal cost-effective way while complying with classification and statutory requirements.

HHI is aiming to develop a complete structural DHM system for its LNG Fuel Type B Tank fitted onboard the world first dual-fueled ultra-large container ships that are currently under construction at Hyundai Samho Yard. This will assure structural integrity in operation and safety and enhance the ship’s operational and compliance performance.

HHI’s HiPIX is a suite of software and service solutions designed to assure the structural safety of Type B tanks and enhance the performance of assets by obtaining survey credit through accurate insights on the condition of tank components, using digital twin technology and data as an alternative to a physical survey.

Seung-Ho Jeon, Executive Vice President of HHI Initial Design Division, said, “Now ship operators can feel confident about operating HHI’s dual-fueled ultra-large container ships by using HHI’s HiPIX solution to meet the rigorous requirements of classification as well as flag administration. We plan to further develop HiPIX to include the machinery digital twin for a gas supply system by working together with LR’s Marine & Offshore Innovation team.”

Luis Benito, LR’s Marine & Offshore Innovation and Co-creation Director, said, “A new paradigm in shipping has started, towards remote operations, when digital health management technology starts enabling remote servicing, maintenance and testing of critical equipment for the safety of ships, with digital technology that can be trusted by ship managers and ship operators end users.”

Joseph Morelos, Assurance of Digital and AI Solutions, LR Marine & Offshore Innovation, added, “In applying LR’s innovative ShipRight Procedure for Digital Compliance, HHI and their end user customers can be confident of deploying digital twins that are safe, dependable and effective to generate business outcomes.”