Korean Register to promote LNG-fuelled ships in Asia-Pacific

Korean Register (KR), an IACS member classification society, will work with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Secretariat (APEC) to promote the use of LNG-fuelled ships in the APEC region.

APEC has awarded a contract to KR to further the understanding of the current state and future potential for LNG-fuelled vessels to serve the region’s maritime trade requirements. Work will also include a programme to share knowledge and best practice across the APEC region with the aim of promoting this new technology.

Low carbon future

In 2011, the group confirmed their commitment to “an action agenda to move APEC towards an energy efficient, sustainable, low carbon transport future”. LNG-fuelled shipping is believed to be one of the optimum potential solutions to help achieve this aim.

KR is to lead the APEC funded project supported by Japanese and Canadian representatives within APEC’s Maritime Expert Group and Transport Working Group. The class society will undertake an extensive programme of research focusing on the current application of LNG technologies, associated safety aspects, seaborne trade statistics and best practice. Results will be shared with APEC member economies to help narrow the technology gap between countries.

Comments

Kim Chang-wook, Executive VP and acting Chairman and CEO of KR said: "We are proud to be internationally recognised as a technical consultancy qualified to deliver high quality research and expertise on LNG-fuelled ships to the APEC community.

“I am confident that this project will raise our collective knowledge on the potential for LNG-fuelled vessels and help create a practical environment for the application of this innovative technology for eco-friendly transport solutions.”

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2015.

Adapted from press release by Katie Woodward

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/lng-shipping/30102014/kr-to-promote-lng-fuelled-ships-1699/