Hybrid Electric Propulsion Pioneered in Next-Gen LNG Carrier Design
Lloyd's Register has partnered with South Korea's Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering to develop a next-generation liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier design that incorporates hybrid-electric propulsion.
The 185,000-cubic-meter LNG carrier aims to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by leveraging the efficiency of electric power. The partnership secured approval in principle (AiP) for the project, which enables them to work on the development and safety verification of the vessel's hybrid electric propulsion system.
The project's focus is on strengthening system architecture, redundancy philosophy, and battery integration, with the goal of providing a framework for wider adoption across the LNG carrier market. Lloyd's Register emphasizes that early involvement will support the development of technical guidance in an emerging area where formalized standards are still evolving.