At Gastech 2025, the world’s largest gas and energy exhibition and conference held in Milan, Italy, from 9 to 12 September 2025, KR achieved notable technological and collaborative milestones in partnership with leading companies in the maritime sectors.

KR Awards AIP for IoT-based Smart Accommodation System Developed by HD Hyundai Samho and HD Hyundai Mipo

KR has awarded Approval in Principle (AIP) to HD Hyundai Mipoand HD Hyundai Samho for their Internet of Things (IoT)-based Smart Accommodation System, announced on September 9 at the Gastech exhibition in Milan.

The approval highlights KR’s leadership in supporting the safe adoption of smartship technologies, while showcasing the innovation of next-generationaccommodation design.

The Smart Accommodation System employs IoT sensors to control indoor environments including heating, ventilation, and lighting and to monitor andoptimize energy consumption in real time, enhancing crew comfort and welfare while maximizing energy efficiency.

KR has reviewed the system’s impact on the vessel’s cyber resilience, verifying its capacity to maintain and restore essential functions even in the event of external cyber-attacks or system failures. This verification underscores KR’s expertise in assessing digital systems and its commitment to advancing safe technology standards in shipbuilding.

SHIM Hak-mu, Executive Vice President of HD Hyundai Samho commented, “This AIP marks an important first step toward implementing an optimized accommodation system for the era of smart ships. We will continue to develop next-generation smart solutions to lead the global shipbuilding industry.”

LEE Yongsok, Executive Vice President of KR, added, “The Smart Accommodation System simultaneously improves crew comfort and energy efficiency, providing an innovative foundation for next-generation smart ships. In particular, its verification of cyber resilience demonstrates strong potential to become a new global standard in the shipbuilding industry.

KR Awards AIP for IoT-based Smart Accommodation System Developed by HD Hyundai Samho and HD Hyundai Mipo

KR signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HD Hyundai Samho on September 9 at Gastech 2025 in Milan, the world’s largest gas and energy exhibition. The two companies will jointly develop a water circulation system for the double-wall pipe annular space of ammonia-fueled vessels, aiming to enhance the safety of next-generation ships powered by ammonia.

Ammoniais drawing attention as a next-generation carbon-free fuel, but its toxicity and corrosiveness have raised critical safety concerns in ship design and operation. In particular, practical measures to mitigate potential leakage risks in fuel piping have yet to be established, making effective safety measures urgently needed.

Ammonia fuel pipes are designed with a double-wall structure, leaving a ring-shaped annular space between the inner and outer pipes. This joint development project seeks to circulate freshwater through this space to enhance the safety of fuel supply piping and minimize potential leakage risks to the atmosphere during operation. Under the collaboration, HD Hyundai Samho will be responsible for system design and development, while KR will verify its safety.

Once completed, HD Hyundai Samho plans to apply the system to its ammonia-fueled ship designs and advance its commercialization. KR, for its part, intends to propose the need for relevant safety standards to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and continue its role as a proactive contributor to international rulemaking on alternative fuels.

SHIM Hakmu, Executive Vice President of HD Hyundai Samho, said:
“This joint development marks an important step in accelerating the transition to ammonia-fueled vessels. Through collaboration with KR, we will generate technological synergies and enhance our competitiveness in the global market.”

YEON Kyujin, Senior Vice President of KR, added:
“With this partnership, we aim to secure key safety technologies for ammonia-fueled vessels at an early stage and lead the development of future international regulations. By working closely with shipbuilders such as HD Hyundai Samho, KR can bridge the gap between innovative design and safe, globally recognized standards.”

KR Approves ‘IMOType-C Tank Design Based on Engineering Critical Assessment’ Jointly Developed by HD Hyundai Mipo and HD KSOE

KR has awarded Approval in Principle (AIP) to HD Hyundai Mipoand HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) for their IMO Type-C tank design applying Engineering Critical Assessment (ECA). The AIP was announced on September 10 during the Gastech 2025 exhibition in Milan, Italy.

This project is part of ongoing efforts to address the growing demand for eco-friendly fuels and cargoes such as LNG, ammonia, and hydrogen. These fuels are stored and transported under high-pressure and cryogenic conditions, and in particular, for small and medium-sized gas carriers and bunkering vessels, achieving both efficiency and safety in tank design has become a critical challenge.

To meet these technical challenges, the three parties have developed procedures to apply ECA-based structural integrity assessment methods from the early design stage of IMO Type-C independent tanks. This methodology enables the prediction of crack propagation in metallic structures and provides a structural safety analysis throughout the tank’s operational lifetime under real service conditions.

As part of the project, HD Hyundai Mipo evaluated the structural and fatigue strength of the tank, while HD KSOE led the tank design and structural integrity assessment. KR conducted a comprehensive review of the design in accordance with its classification rules and international regulations, which enabled the issuance of the AIP.

LEE Dong-jin, Executive Vice President of HD Hyundai Mipo, said:
“Through this collaboration, we have further enhanced the design competitiveness of gas carriers and bunkering vessels. By establishing an objective framework to verify the long-term reliability of tank structures, we are able to actively address the diverse needs of the market. We will continue to build on our experience and expertise to consolidate our leadership in the eco-friendly fuel transport sector.”

LEE Dong-ju, Senior Vice President of HD KSOE, stated:
“This project is meaningful in achieving a Type-C tank design that satisfies both safety and efficiency. It also provides a valuable opportunity to enhance the global competitiveness of independent tank technology. Based on advanced evaluation methodologies, we will continue to advance design capabilities that meet the evolving demands of shipowners.”

KIM Han-se, Senior Vice President of HD KSOE’s SD Business Unit, commented:
“The joint development has strengthened the robustness of independent tank design and is expected to enhance competitiveness in the high-value, eco-friendly vessel market. We will work to pursue technological innovation to ensure the safe and efficient transport of alternative fuels while reinforcing the global competitiveness of the shipbuilding industry.”

LEE Yongsok, Executive Vice President of KR, added:
“This AIP highlights the application of ECA-based structural integrity assessment in practical tank design. It demonstrates how advanced evaluation methodologies can be applied from the earliest stages of development to ensure safety and reliability. KR remains committed to providing strong technical support for the development and safe adoption of alternative fuel vessels.”

KR Grants AIP to HD Hyundai’s LNG Boil-off Gas Treatment System

KR announced on September 10 at Gastech 2025 that it has granted an Approval in Principle (AIP) for an LNG Boil-off Gas (BOG) Treatment System jointly developed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) and Donghwa Pneutec. The AIP, awarded in cooperation with the Liberian Registry (LISCR), is based on a concept proposed by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE).

The newly developed BOG treatment system is designed for installation and operation both onboard vessels and along quays during berth. It can process up to 0.5 tonne of BOG per hour, converting it into city gas for onshore energy use.

This enables shipyards to recover BOG generated during vessel construction, thereby reducing both greenhouse gas emissions and fuel losses. Shipowners, in turn, can safely manage surplus gas during extended port stays or when Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) is required, ensuring compliance with increasingly stringent environmental regulations.

The joint development project was completed through close cooperation between the shipyard, equipment manufacturer, classification society, and flag administration, building upon HD KSOE’s concept design. In June this year, the system was applied to an 8,000 TEU LNG dual-fueled containership under construction, where it successfully completed demonstration trials, verifying its performance.

The system is a practical solution to reduce carbon emissions across the full lifecycle of LNG dual-fueled vessels and is expected to contribute significantly to the maritime industries’ decarbonization goals.

An Official from HD Hyundai said:
“This AIP marks the world’s first validation of LNG boil-off gas treatment technology, underscoring our commitment to advancing greener shipbuilding for LNG-fueled vessels and driving decarbonization across the maritime industry.”

KWON Yungwoo, Vice Chairman & CEO of Donghwa Pneutec, noted:
“This demonstration has once again validated the technological excellence of our LNG boil-off gas compressor. With AMP requirements expected to become mandatory, we anticipate this technology will see broader adoption across the industry.”

Thomas Klenum, Executive Vice President of the Liberian Registry, added:
“Built on a strong partnership, the successful completion of this project goes beyond a simple technological achievement. It provides an important foundation for advancing eco-friendly shipbuilding technologies from a full lifecycle perspective of LNG-fueled vessels.”

LEE Hyungchul, Chairman & CEO of KR, concluded:
“This AIP marks a meaningful achievement in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from LNG-fueled vessels, both during construction and while at berth. KR will continue to work closely with industry partners to ensure the smooth commercialization of new technologies and to drive a more sustainable maritime industry.”