Hanwha Power Secures ABS Approval for 22,000 CBM LNG Bunkering Vessel
South Korean conglomerate Hanwha Power has secured an Approval in Principle (AiP) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for a new concept design of a 22,000-cubic-meter liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel. The AiP was granted on September 15 at Gastech 2026, one of the world's largest exhibitions dedicated to gas and energy, held in Bangkok, Thailand.
The LNG bunkering market is evolving rapidly amidst tensions over gas supply, as seen by the recent surge in gas prices blamed by Russia on Europe's rejection of Russian supplies. The design of Hanwha Power's 22,000 CBM vessel features multi-cargo capability, allowing for the transport of both LNG and ammonia, a next-generation clean fuel.
The vessel concept incorporates high-manganese steel cargo containment technology named Mc-C®, which enables adaptation to future alternative fuels with minimal modifications. This flexibility is expected to give shipowners greater long-term competitiveness and adaptability in the market.