DSME installs new hi-Mn LNG tank on container ship

The rectangular tank is mounted inside a 24,000 TEU container ship. The new tank design is resistant to sloshing and was developed jointly with POSCO, which includes Korea’s largest specialty steelmaker among its diverse business activities.

Until recently, materials such as Invar (nickel alloy steel), aluminium, and stainless steel have been used for cargo holds and fuel tanks that can withstand the cryogenic temperature of minus 163°C. However, they had disadvantages such as high price, a difficult work process, and low strength. The high manganese steel LNG fuel tank overcomes these shortcomings.

The technology has taken 10 years of development, including new welding techniques and mass production and processability verification.

The installation follows a June 2022 installation of a high manganese steel LNG fuel tank on an ultra-large crude oil carrier.

Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering President Park Doo-sun, said at the time: “Our company, which boasts the world’s most competitive edge in terms of building LNG carriers, has set another milestone. As it is a technology, we will lead to strengthening the competitiveness of the entire Korean shipbuilding industry.”

Choi Jong-gyo, Executive Vice President of POSCO Research Institute, said, “The successful mass-production of high-manganese steel, a unique material in Korea, to global LNG-powered ships is overwhelming. I believe that it will play a big role in the future eco-friendly ship market.”