LR approves HHI forward accommodation LNG carrier

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has granted approval in principle (AiP) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for a new LNG carrier design that relocates the accommodation block to the vessel’s bow and incorporates Mitsui OSK Lines’ (MOL) Wind Challenger system.

The forward accommodation concept, developed in collaboration with MOL and the Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator, was announced at Gastech 2025.

It relocates the bridge and accommodation structure from the traditional aft position to the forward section, providing an unobstructed deck area above the cargo tanks. This open layout allows for the optimal placement of wind-assisted propulsion systems (WAPS), including MOL’s Wind Challenger, and offers scope for multiple sail types, numbers and configurations.

LR said the fore-deckhouse arrangement delivers aerodynamic benefits that can reduce drag, improve propulsion efficiency and potentially lower fuel consumption. The design also accommodates the future integration of alternative fuel modules and battery storage, making it adaptable to shifting regulatory frameworks and evolving owner requirements.

According to LR, the AiP followed a comprehensive technical evaluation of the concept’s safety and feasibility, including a review of International Maritime Organization requirements, class rules and industry guidelines, supported by structured risk assessments such as HAZID.

LR global gas segment director Panos Mitrou said, “This AiP reflects LR’s commitment to enabling the safe deployment of innovative technologies that support the maritime industry’s transition to net zero. By working closely with our project partners, we help demonstrate the technical feasibility and commercial value of forward-thinking vessel design.”

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries chief technical officer Hong-Ryeul Ryu stated, “This AiP highlights HHI’s pioneering forward accommodation LNG carrier design, underscoring our unwavering commitment to sustainability and readiness to embrace advanced decarbonisation technologies, including WAPS.”

MOL deputy chief technical officer Yoshihiko Sugimoto said, “With the valued collaboration of Lloyd’s Register and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, we are delighted to receive this AiP for HHI’s next-generation LNG carrier design featuring MOL’s Wind Challenger technology.”

Republic of the Marshall Islands deputy commissioner of maritime affairs David Wamsley commented, “This AiP for a next-generation vessel is a great example of what can be achieved when industry leaders align. This partnership allows us to pool our expertise, mitigate risks, and accelerate the development of solutions that would be impossible to achieve alone.”