• 2 min de lectura
• 2 min de lectura
K Shipbuilding and Lloyd's Register (LR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly develop a 50,000 DWT Medium Range (MR) tanker propelled by ethanol.
The joint development project will evaluate the technical feasibility, safety, and regulatory compliance of a new ethanol-fueled tanker design, with the aim of obtaining an Approval in Principle (AiP) from LR and creating a commercially competitive vessel concept for the global product tanker market.
Theo Kourmpelis, Global Business Director for Tankers at Lloyd's Register, stated that "ethanol is a common cargo in the maritime transport of petroleum products, which makes the MR segment an ideal place to evaluate it as a fuel. As ethanol production and maritime trade continue to develop, shipowners operating in these sectors are in a privileged position to link its role as cargo with its use on board."
"This project will provide owners with a clearer basis for evaluating ethanol within their fleet strategies and will help lay the groundwork for its widespread adoption across the tanker sector," the executive added.
Tae-Hyun Koh, Chief Technology Officer at K Shipbuilding, stated that "we observe growing interest in fuel flexibility as shipowners make long-term investment decisions in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Through this collaboration with Lloyd's Register, our goal is to develop a practical and competitive MR tanker design that runs on ethanol and meets both operational and market needs."
LR will conduct technical reviews covering vessel arrangement, stability, structural requirements, and fuel tank integration, while K Shipbuilding will lead the vessel's design and development program.
The project will also analyze opportunities to optimize vessel design and operational efficiency, while ensuring compliance with applicable classification rules and international regulations.
