South Korean Shipbuilder DH Shipbuilding has obtained approval in principle (AiP) from ABS for the basic design of a 7700 TEU methanol dual-fuel propulsion container ship.
Methanol dual-fuel propulsion vessels are regarded as eco-friendly, and are subject to safety design and risk assessment of systems related to the supply, storage, and supply of methanol fuel so that either MGO or methanol can be used as dual fuel. Methanol fuel is a low-carbon fuel that can respond to the IMO mid- to long-term strategy for greenhouse gases, and domestic and foreign shipping companies are expanding ship orders and bunkering infrastructure construction using the fuel.
In addition, the use of green methanol, which synthesises green hydrogen obtained through water electrolysis such as solar and wind power and carbon capture, is attracting attention as a carbon-free fuel.
Park Bong-woon, Technical Division head at the shipyard, said: “We are applying the design of fuel supply and fuel storage of methanol dual-fuel propulsion vessels to tank ships, which are the main types of ships of Korea Shipbuilding. Through the acquisition of AiP, we will strive to secure eco-friendly fuel propulsion and urea technology to respond to the ‘Net Zero’ proposed by IMO and realise the decarbonisation of the shipbuilding and maritime industry. We will strengthen industry-academia-research cooperation to flexibly respond to the limitations of technical manpower at medium-sized shipyards.”
