A unit of Japan’s Sumitomo Heavy Industries has secured an approval in principle from Lloyd’s Register for a medium-sized LNG-powered tanker.
The UK-based classification society granted the AiP to Sumitomo Heavy Industries Marine & Engineering on July 9.
The concept features a high-pressure dual-fuel system and a large LNG tank, according to the Japanese shipbuilder.
Germany’s MAN Energy & Solutions designed the vessels ME-GI type main engine that will receive LNG via a pump and vaporizer.
The shipbuilder developed the concept to cater to growing demand for “environmental-friendly” ships.
Ship owners are increasingly opting to use LNG fuel as the industry is looking to cut emissions and comply with the new IMO rules.
In that regard, the new vessel’s engine would “substantially” reduce emissions and also improve fuel efficiency, Sumitomo said.
Furthermore, the firm said its tanker would “far exceed” the level of Phase 3 of the Energy Efficiency Design Index.
This index will be mandatory to ships deployed in the international trade.