Aip News

Lloyd's Register (LR) has granted Approval in Principle (AiP) to Rondal for its Aero Wing Sail, following completion of concept-level assessment activities in line with LR’s Guidance Notes on Wind Assisted Propulsion Systems (2025). The AiP was awarded in a ceremony at Metstrade 2025 in Amsterdam. The Aero Wing Sail is a rigid wing-sail concept designed for application on large yachts and multihull platforms to provide wind-assisted propulsion capability and ease of integration within vessel layouts.

ABS issued an approval in principle (AIP) to Petrobras for its safety-enhancing “sandwich hull” design concept for floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) tanks.The design uses parts of longitudinal and transverse elements constructed with steel-concrete-steel sandwich structures that allow tanks to remain free of internal obstructions, promising to improve operational efficiency during tank inspections and enabling activities to be performed using remotely operated tools and automated devices such as robots.ABS completed design reviews based on class requirements.

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for "Safety Berthing/Unberthing Assistance System" developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. and granted its Innovation Endorsement for Products & Solutions to the "Berthing and unberthing Assistance System-Human Machine Interface." ClassNK has also confirmed that the 'a-SAFE' notation (BSS)-Berthing Support System, which indicate ships with advanced safety measures, can be applied to ClassNK-registered vessels equipped with…

At Gastech 2025, DNV awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) for the design of next-generation LNG carriers (LNGC) and Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLEC) with forward accommodation and Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS). The designs, featuring 174K LNGCs and 100K VLECs (Ethane/LPG carriers), are the first from HD HHI to combine a forward accommodation layout with the integration of tiltable rotor sails. The LNGC design will be equipped with four tiltable rotor sails from Norsepower, while the VLEC design will incorporate two.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has granted Approval in Principle (AiP) to Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for the design of a 174,000m³ LNG carrier equipped with Wind Challenger, a wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS) developed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL). The AiP was formally awarded during a ceremony at Gastech 2025. While LNG carriers already operate with comparatively lower carbon emissions than conventional oil-fueled ships, the integration of the Wind Challenger demonstrates the potential to further reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by harnessing renewable wind energy.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for a new Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) design that features a forward accommodation block and integration of wind assisted propulsion systems (WAPS). The announcement was made during a ceremony at Gastech 2025. By relocating the bridge and accommodation block to the bow, the vessel’s aerodynamic profile is improved, reducing headwind resistance and improving overall propulsion efficiency.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for its next-generation LNG carrier design featuring a forward accommodation layout and integrated Wind Challenger, wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS) developed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL). Developed in collaboration with MOL and the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator, the new design relocates the accommodation and bridge block from its conventional aft position to the bow.

At Gastech 2025, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) received approval in principle (AIP) from ABS for its concept design of a 16,000 TEU container ship with an electric propulsion system.ABS completed design reviews based on class requirements, analyzing the power system including key elements such as power generation, power conversion and propulsion motors.“ABS, HD KSOE and HHI share a commitment to leveraging our combined resources and expertise to advance electrical applications in the maritime industry.

ABS issued approval in principle (AIP) to Hanwha Ocean for its new design of a semisubmersible-type floating offshore wind turbine.The design, named WindHive 15-H3, supports 15-megawatt (MW) turbines on three hexagonal columns. ABS completed design reviews based on class and industry requirements.“Floating offshore wind power is set to play a critical role in the world’s future energy landscape, and we are proud to collaborate with industry leaders like Hanwha Ocean on innovative solutions that are focused on advancing safety at sea…

ABS issued approval in principle (AIP) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) for a concept of a floating small modular reactor (SMR)-powered power module.The design is intended to generate electricity offshore and near shore, supporting port facilities and onshore communities. ABS completed design reviews based on the ABS Requirements for Nuclear Power Systems for Marine and Offshore Applications.The AIP is the second for…

ABS has issued an approval in principle (AIP) to Light Structures for its new hull monitoring concept, ARGUS-VM.The ARGUS-VM concept received a SMART (SHM) Tier 1 AIP from ABS, which provides an industry recognition that the product complies with the functional and system requirements listed in the ABS Guide for Smart Functions for Marine Vessels and Offshore Units.Unlike traditional hull monitoring systems that require physical strain sensors, ARGUS-VM provides virtual measurements of hull responses using vessel data from existing onboard systems.

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to the Marine Design and Research Institute of China (MARIC) for its new 155,000m³ Ultra Large Ethane Carrier (ULEC) design.The vessel, measuring approximately 274 meters in length and 42 meters in breadth, is designed as a single-propeller liquefied ethane carrier powered by a MAN ME-GIE ethane dual-fuel main engine, supporting worldwide ethane transportation. The design is compatible with both Type B cargo tanks and GTT Mark III membrane tanks…

ClassNK issued Approvals in Principle (AiPs) for four ship designs developed by Marine Design & Research Institute of China (MARIC).The four designs include:a 210k methanol dual-fueled bulk carrier, a 210k ammonia dual-fueled bulk carrier, a 210k LNG dual-fueled bulk carrier, and an 88k LPG dual-fueled very large gas carrier

cutSOFEC_EBUOY_DETAIL_01_20231206As the need for electrical power for vessels at sea grows, SOFEC announced that ABS awarded the newly developed Electric Charging Buoy (ECB) an Approval in Principle (AiP). Traditional SOFEC CALM buoy designs have integrated electrical power cable management solutions that allow vessel(s) mooring while utilizing externally supplied power. By using this proven concept, SOFEC can leverage its buoy designs and modify them to accommodate offshore electric power transfer from seaports or offshore wind farms substations to Electric Vessels.

ClassNK awards AiPs for SDARI’s green fuels powered vehicle carriers for ammonia ready LNG dual fueled 7,000CEU, and both methanol/ammonia dual fueled 10,000CEUClassNK has issued Approvals in Principle (AiPs) for three vehicle carrier designs developed by Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI). The first AiP acknowledges an ammonia ready LNG dual fueled vehicle carrier with a capacity of 7,000 CEU, a significant first in China’s independently developed design.

DNV awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) certificate to China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Nanjing) Co., Ltd. for its 11,000-CEU capacity pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) design.Recognized as the world's largest PCTC, the 234m long and 40m wide ship will have 14 decks allowing 11,000 car equivalent units (CEUs) to be stored simultaneously, which not only increases efficiency but also reduces the transport cost per vehicle.By implementing a combination of decarbonization measures…

Erma First received Approval in Principle (AiP) from DNV for its amine absorption-based Onboard Carbon Capture (OCC) system, which was put to the test onboard a RoRo ship.The system uses amine absorption technology and a proprietary amine solvent to absorb CO2 from flue gases. When heated, the chemical reaction that occurs reverses the absorption and separates the CO2 from the solvent. The CO2 that is released is subsequently liquified and stored under cryogenic conditions onboard and the regenerated solvent can be re-used, creating a highly efficient regenerative OCC process.

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for a parcel layout concept for a hydrogen-fueled multi-purpose vessel developed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), MOL Drybulk Ltd. (MOL Drybulk), Onomichi Dockyard Co., Ltd. (Onomichi Dockyard), Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Kawasaki), Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG). This is the world’s first AiP certification for a ship equipped with a large low-speed two-stroke hydrogen-fueled engine as the main propulsion engine.Demonstration…

An offshore hydrogen and ammonia production platform design from the Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO) has received approval in principle (AIP) from ABS.Developed by KRISO, the unit is designed to produce green hydrogen using electricity generated by a wind farm. Among the features, the design consists of a desalination system that desalinates seawater and turns it into clean water, an electrolysis system that produces hydrogen by electrolyzing water…

ClassNK issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an ammonia fuel supply system for oil tanker and container ship developed by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI).ClassNK carried out a review of a conceptual design of the system developed by SHI based on the part C of its "Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels". Upon confirming they comply with the prescribed requirements, ClassNK issued the AiP.Dong-Joo Kim, Head of Shipbuilding Sales Engineering Team, Samsung Heavy Industries said, "We are happy to collaborate with ClassNK in this important design development and believe this AiP award demonstrates SHI’s readiness for the new ammonia shipping market that is coming from global decarbonization demands."

ABS granted approval in principle (AIP) to Value Maritime (VM) for its Carbon Capture System onboard seagoing vessels. The Filtree System - a prefabricated gas cleaning system that filters sulfur and 99% of particulate matter - includes a Carbon Capture Module that captures the CO2 onboard in a battery container.Value Maritime’s CCS technology is designedd  too allow vessels to capture up to 40% of CO2 emissions, with the potential of exceeding 90% in the future.The Filtree System has already been installed on over 20 vessels…

ABS issued approval in principle (AIP) to Keppel Offshore & Marine for the ammonia-fueled ammonia bunker vessel at the heart of Project Sabre, an initiative from a consortium of organizations to develop an ammonia bunker supply chain in Singapore.As well as ABS, the consortium includes A.P. Moller – Maersk, Fleet Management Limited, Keppel Offshore & Marine, Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, Sumitomo Corporation, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. and the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore.The 188-m, 33,000 cu.

Lloyd’s Register granted Approval in Principle (AIP) for an SDARI (Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute) designed 210,000 DWT Newcastlemax bulk carrier installed with Anemoi Rotor Sails.The Newcastlemax AIP is part of a joint development project signed in 2020 with Anemoi Marine Technologies, Lloyd’s Register, and SDARI. Oldendorff Carriers is the shipowner partner for this Newcastlemax design"This has been an important project as part of Oldendorff Carriers’ commitment towards Getting to Zero," said Torsten Barenthin, Director Innovation, Oldendorff Carriers.