- Builds the state-of-the-art liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel for the first time in the world
- Unrivaled technology in the construction of special-purpose ships such as icebreaker, dive support
vessel (DSV) and cable ship

On February 23, HANJIN Heavy Industries & Construction announced that it
completed construction and delivered the 5,000-ton LNG bunkering ship at its
Yeongdo Shipyard in Busan. As a result, the South Korean shipbuilder is recorded
as the first LNG bunkering vessel builder in the world.

The company won the bid to build this 5,100㎥ LNG bunkering vessel in 2014.

LNG bunkering means the ship-to-ship transfer of fuel such as LNG. In general,
LNG-powered vessels are fueled through a LNG storage tank or undertaking base
on land. If a LNG bunkering ship is used, however, they are able to load fuel at sea.

At the time of signing the contract, there were small bunkering or barge ships
designed to supply LNG to a certain vessel. However, it’s been the first time to build
this large LNG bunkering ship around the globe. Therefore, it has drawn a great
attention from the world.

The LNG bunkering vessel named ‘ENGIE ZEEBRUGGE’ was handed over to LNG
LINK INVESTMENT AS, a joint venture of Engie (France), Fluxys (Belgium),
Mitsubishi Corporation (Japan) and NYK (Japan). It would supply the fuel to the
LNG-powered vessels traveling the seas around Northern Europe from the Port of
Zeebrugge in Belgium.

In particular, the LNG bunkering ship is designed to deliver the fuel in a ship-to-ship
mode, which is deemed the most efficient way of transferring fuel. It is capable of
supplying 5,000 cubic meters of LNG at a time. It features two independent
pressurized LNG tanks approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO),
2 propellers and 1 thruster and uses dual fuels (LNG, MGO bi-fuel), maximizing
maneuverability and operating efficiency.

The LNG bunkering ship has been in the highlight in shipbuilding and shipping
industries because of the high growth potential of LNG-fueled vessel market. In fact,
LNG-powered ships are able to reduce fuel consumption by 20-50%, compared to
the conventional vessels which are fueled by fossil fuels. They are also very
advantageous from an environmental aspect because they are able to considerably
reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The industry forecasts that LNG-fueled vessel and LNG bunkering markets would
sharply increase as the IMO strengthens restrictions on ship exhaust gas, and the
supply of LNG becomes stable after the exploration of shale gas around the world.

An official from the HHIC said, “It means something in that we built this LNG
bunkering vessel for the first time in the world in the LNG bunkering market which
is known as a next-generation green ship and blue-ocean sector in LNG industry.”
He added, “Based on our unrivaled technology and extensive knowhow in special-
purpose vessels such as the nation’s first icebreaking vessel ‘ARAON’, DSVs and
cable ships, we are going to keep playing a leading role in the construction of state-
of-the-art vessels”.

■ Attachment: (Photo) LNG Bunkering Vessel ENGIE ZEEBRUGGE