Development of a membrane-type cargo hold for LNG tankers

Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has developed a membrane-type cargo hold for LNG tankers. With this, the company has finally tackled the last unsolved development initiative for the Korean shipbuilding industry, which was the cargo hold manufacturing technology for LNG tankers, completing a self-reliant Korean shipbuilding ecosystem.

SHI recently introduced its SCA (Smart Containment-System Advanced), the cargo hold for LNG tankers, in London. With the new system SHI is said to possibly increase its LNG shipbuilding competitiveness.

The cargo hold for LNG tankers is a tank containing LNG that is liquefied at -163 degrees. It was built with tech upgrades, including improved membrane forms, newly developed secondary barrier materials and super-insulating materials, in order to improve stability, gas tightness and efficiency in transportation.

With the aim of achieving self-reliant cargo hold manufacturing, Samsung Heavy Industries has conducted joint research with KAIST since 2007, with the master design and full design certified by major classification agencies, including LR and ABS.
In April 2011, the Company completed the mock-up certification and has undertaken phased preparation for the product launch by having tech briefings for the world’s major oil companies, including BG, Chevron, CoP and Exxon Mobil.