Approval in principle granted for VLGC with carbon

The China Classification Society (CCS) has granted approval in principle (AIP) for the design of the world’s first low-carbon Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC).

The concept design is based on an LPG dual-fuel ship type with an onboard CO2 capture system.

Two C-type low-temperature carbon dioxide storage tanks are located on both sides of the open deck in the cargo area, and the design carbon dioxide capture rate of the system can reach over 85%.

CCS Shanghai Rules & Research Institute granted Jiangnan Shipbuilding the AIP for the design, which was jointly with the No. 711 Institute of CSSC in collaboration with CCS.

CCS has submitted guidelines to the IMO for calculating the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) for the ship, as well as two proposals to revise the inspection and certification guidelines.

Jiangnan Shipbuilding delivered the 86,000 cbm Gas Capricorn to Southwest Maritime in 2022. The ship was the world’s first VLGC to use LPG as the main fuel. The shipyard is expected to deliver the first three of six 93,000 cbm dual-fuel LPG VLGCs for Petredec this year.