SHI to develop LNG test centre at Geoje shipyard
The 3,630m2 LNG system test and demonstration facility is expected to be completed by December 2020. The ceremony was attended by representatives of classification societies Lloyd’s Register and DNV GL, as well as energy suppliers ENI and Petronas and LNG carrier specialist GasLog.
The facility will enable tests and development of new re-liquefaction and natural gas liquefaction process design, and new refrigerant utilization method to improve the efficiency of floating natural gas supply facilities. The project includes the first marine liquefaction demonstration facility in Korea.
Samsung hopes to leverage the new facility to speed up the application of next generation technology. In common with other South Korea yards, it has been endeavouring to develop its own cargo containment and vessel design expertise.
Two 7,500m3 LNG newbuilds featuring the KC-1 containment system were expected to begin construction at Samsung’s Geoje yard, while SHI announced a joint development project with technology company Wärtsilä to develop a more efficient solution for LNG Carrier and Shuttle Tanker vessels in April 2019.
SHI occupies a leading position in the LNG carrier construction market. The shipbuilder expects further expansion in the LNG carrier newbuilding market. There are potentially dozens of new vessels to be ordered for transporting increasing volumes of LNG from both new and extended export LNG terminals in Africa, Australia, the Middle East and North America.
