HHI AiP for innovative VLGC

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for a new Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) design that features a forward accommodation block and integration of wind assisted propulsion systems (WAPS). The announcement was made during a ceremony at Gastech 2025.

By relocating the bridge and accommodation block to the bow, the vessel’s aerodynamic profile is dramatically improved, reducing headwind resistance and improving overall propulsion efficiency.

The fore-deckhouse configuration also provides clear, unobstructed space from midship to the stern, allowing for optimised sail spacing and placement of WAPS technologies. This flexibility also supports integration of other sustainable technologies such as onboard carbon capture systems (OCCS), alternative fuel modules for ammonia or hydrogen, and battery energy storage systems.

The AiP was awarded in collaboration with the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR), whose involvement will support future regulatory alignment and flag approval pathways.

Panos Mitrou, LR's Global Gas Segment Director, said: “By rethinking traditional vessel architecture and embracing wind-assisted propulsion, this design shows how class, flag state, and industry can collaborate to enable practical, scalable solutions in line with GHG intensity ambition.”

Hong-Ryeul Ryu, CTO and Executive Vice President at HHI, added: “This vessel concept is expected to become a future platform capable of flexibly responding to stringent environmental regulations.”