Lloyd’s Register has awarded Design Appraisal to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries for its innovative fore-accommodation LNG carrier design, which integrates Mitsui O.S.K. Lines’ Wind Challenger hard-sail system. This appraisal confirms that the design meets LR’s Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS) standards, following an earlier Approval in Principle received at Gastech 2025. The collaboration involves key partners, including HHI, MOL, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator.
The vessel is touted as the first of its kind, featuring a unique arrangement that moves the accommodation block and bridge to the bow, allowing for the installation of hard sails on the mid-to-aft deck. This design offers flexibility in the number and positioning of sails, with the capacity to accommodate four Wind Challenger sails, enhancing operational efficiency.
MOL’s Executive Officer, Yoshihiko Sugimoto, emphasized that this milestone demonstrates the feasibility of wind-assisted propulsion for LNG carriers while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. The project involved thorough assessments of navigational visibility, hull stability, and structural integrity, adhering to LR’s Risk Based Certification process.
Hongryeul Ryu, Executive Vice President of HHI, noted that achieving Design Appraisal signifies the concept’s technical maturity and is a crucial step towards commercial viability, reinforcing their commitment to developing sustainable LNG carrier solutions for the future.
