ABS and Hanjin Heavy Industries develop standards for small FSRUs

US class society ABS is working with South Korea-based shipbuilder Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction (HHIC) to set safety standards for a new concept for a 25,000m³ floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) design.

The concept for a small FSRU incorporates four Type-C cargo tanks, to simplify transfers of gas to the storage terminal. ABS deployed its global gas solutions team on the project, providing safety guidance and advice on regulatory compliance.

ABS vice-president global gas solutions Patrick Janssens says the class society aims to work with experts to develop more flexible, efficient FSRU-based solutions. “Industry is exploring options for getting gas to new and expanding markets,” he said.

HHIC executive managing director Moon-tae Yoon said: “Partnering with ABS and leveraging its knowledge and experience in LNG regasification helped us prove the feasibility of the concept and better understand the safety implications throughout development of the design.

“This project is an important milestone for HHIC, and this type of asset will serve a critical need in markets that are looking for efficient ways to get gas.”

ABS classed the first LNG carrier conversion Methane Pioneer and the first LNG carrier newbuilding, Methane Princess.