[Convention & Legislation Service Team] KR Holds Technical Seminar on IGC Code Amendments for Major Korean Shipbuilders

From December 9, 2025 to February 23, 2026, the Korean Register (KR) Convention & Legislation Service Team completed a preliminary impact analysis of the amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code), which are expected to be approved and adopted at MSC 111 and MSC 112 and to enter into force on July 1, 2028. To support customers in preparing proactively for the upcoming regulatory changes, KR held a series of remote technical seminars via MS Teams for four major Korean shipbuilders.

The seminars were conducted in the following order, with a total of 275 participants: HD Hyundai Samho on December 9, 2025; Samsung Heavy Industries on February 10, 2026; HD Hyundai Heavy Industries on February 12, 2026; and Hanwha Ocean on February 23, 2026. The presentation was delivered by Senior Surveyor KIM Kyoungyong. The seminars focused on sharing key amendment items ahead of their final approval and adoption by the IMO, enabling shipyards to proactively manage potential risks during the design and construction stages and respond promptly.

In addition, the technical information document titled “Impact Analysis of the IGC Code Amendments”, initially issued in November 2025, was republished as its first revised version (Rev. 1) on February 16, 2026, reflecting questions and feedback received during the seminars.

∙ View Technical Information (Rev. 1): https://www.krs.co.kr/eng/Exclusive/Tech_ETC_View.aspx 

KR plans to actively incorporate the feedback and insights gained from the seminars into its future technical support related to the IGC Code, while strengthening collaboration with relevant departments to further enhance its proactive technical response capabilities for shipyards.

[Alternative Fuel Technology Research Team] KR Successfully Holds Performance Demonstration of Microwave Catalyst Heating System for Ammonia Engines

On February 11, the Green Ship Equipment Test & Certification Center (TCC) of the Alternative Fuel Technology Research Team under the Korean Register (KR) R&D Division successfully held a performance demonstration of a microwave catalyst heating system developed by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering.

The event was attended by key industry, academia, and research representatives, including KIM Daeheon, Head of the KR Research & Development Division, SONG Kanghyun, Director of the Research Institute, as well as officials from the Decarbonization Ship Research Center of HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and HMM.

Ammonia, a carbon-free fuel, is gaining attention as a key energy source in the era of shipping decarbonization and as an effective hydrogen carrier. However, ammonia dual-fuel engines can emit exhaust gases such as nitrogen oxides (NOx, N₂O) and unburned ammonia, making catalyst-based aftertreatment systems essential. In particular, since the optimal operating temperature differs for each pollutant, precise temperature control and optimization of catalyst configuration are regarded as key factors for commercialization.

The microwave catalyst heating system unveiled at the demonstration was jointly developed by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and EcoPro HN, with performance development and verification conducted at KR TCC since last year. By using microwaves to directly heat the catalyst, the system allows independent control of catalyst temperatures at each stage, significantly improving exhaust gas purification efficiency.

During the demonstration, the ammonia engine was operated under conditions where large amounts of ammonia slip were generated, allowing verification of the aftertreatment system’s performance. As a result, the system demonstrated approximately 99.7% reduction in ammonia slip and more than 90% reduction in nitrogen oxides. The system can also be applied as a methane slip reduction device simply by replacing the catalyst, which is expected to expand its application to various dual-fuel engine exhaust gas treatment systems in the future.

This technology represents a key achievement of the national project “Development of Integrated Management Technology for Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Ships,” supported by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. The project is led by the KR Green Ship Technology Team, with the goal of developing integrated systems for ship decarbonization and leading technological and standard development through new technology demonstrations. 

Last year, the project successfully completed a land-based demonstration of a wing sail system, and sea trials through shipboard application are currently underway. The newly developed system is also scheduled for future sea-based demonstrations.

The demonstration was conducted successfully under strict safety management, and participants expressed high confidence in the safety management system and testing environment of TCC.
KR will continue to strive to play a pivotal role in the commercialization of eco-friendly technologies across propulsion, power generation, and energy sources, as well as in the development of ship decarbonization technologies.

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