On 2 May, KR granted conceptual approval in principle (AIP) to a 40K㎥ liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier developed by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME).

The ship that received the AIP was developed under a Joint Development Project (JDP) between KR and DSME. DSME carried out the basic and structural design of the vessel and the conceptual design of the cargo handling system. KR verified its compliance by reviewing classification rules and domestic and international regulations.

Unlike cargoes such as LNG and ammonia, which can be transported as liquids if only one of the conditions of low temperature or high pressure is met, carbon dioxide can only be transported as a liquid if both conditions of low temperature and high pressure are maintained simultaneously. At present, there are only a limited number of materials and thicknesses available for carrier tanks to maintain these conditions, making larger carbon dioxide carriers a relatively advanced technology among cargo-carrying vessels.   

As the maritime industry faces an increasing demand for Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technology due to decarbonization demands, there is also a need for liquefied carbon dioxide carriers that can safely transport the captured carbon dioxide to storage facilities.

In the past, small vessels of less than 3k㎥ were built for food transport. However, in recent years the market for large carriers is expected to grow to ensure economic efficiency in line with this growing demand.

YEON Kyujin, Head of KR's Plan Approval Centre, said: "This AIP is significant in that it brings us one step closer to commercializing the technology for the construction of large CCUS carriers and lays the technical foundation for the construction of larger carriers. We will continue to support CCUS-related technologies as well as decarbonization technologies."

KIM Hyoungseog, VP & Head of DSME's Ship Basic Design Division, said: "With the completion of the conceptual design of the 40K m3, following the 12.5K ㎥ and 70K ㎥, DSME has completed its range of representative sizes of LNG carriers. This will enable us to continue to lead the market with our advanced technology in the LNG carrier sector, which has great potential for growth in the future."