Hanwha Ocean Boosts LNG Fuel Tank Pressure to Nearly Triple

Hanwha Ocean has developed technology that increases the allowable fuel tank pressure of liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered container ships to nearly three times the previous level. The company announced this breakthrough on September 17 at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The new technology, developed with Norwegian classification society DNV, allows for an International Maritime Organization (IMO) Type-B fuel tank pressure of up to 2.0 barg, triple that of the previous maximum of 0.7 barg. This increase enables boil-off gas to be stored for longer, improving vessel operation and fuel management efficiency.

Additionally, Hanwha Ocean received approval in principle from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and DNV for its standard floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) design. The company also secured approval from Lloyd's Register (LR) for its MCTIB high-manganese steel cargo containment system for 100,000-cubic-meter very large ethane carriers (VLECs).

Hanwha Ocean plans to further develop LNG-related technologies, including a joint project with LR to extend the internal inspection interval of LNG carrier cargo tanks from five years to seven and a half years. The company will also collaborate with the Korean Register (KR) on an 18,000-cubic-meter LNG bunkering vessel.