France’s GTT and Finland-based Deltamarin, a part of China Merchants Group, have received basic approval from classification society ABS for their LNG-powered Aframax tanker design.
ABS awarded the approval in principle (AiP) to the duo during a ceremony on Wednesday at the Gastech exhibition and conference in Dubai.
The LNG dual-fuel Aframax tanker 115k DWT would feature GTT’s membrane tank technology, according to ABS.
GTT said in a statement later on Wednesday it has designed the tank, while Deltamarin studied its integration into the vessel.
“The approval from ABS certifies that the onboard integration of the membrane fuel tank solution is technically feasible for an LNG-fueled tanker and that it complies with all safety regulations,” GTT said.
Compared to a conventional oil-fueled tanker, this new LNG-fueled tanker design reduces CO2 emissions by at least 20%, GTT claims. The LNG containment firm said it also offers increased autonomy without reducing the cargo volume.
Deltamarin, GTT and ABS have previously already worked on the development of an LNG-fueled vessel. The duo received AiP for an LNG-powered Newcastlemax bulk carrier back in 2019.