DNV GL and Keppel subsidiary to collaborate on LNG fuel development

The collaboration will kick off with the classification society issuing approval-in-principle certificates for two LNG bunker vessel designs developed by KMDT. Both are 7,500m³ vessels with bunkering facilities, but one also has a hybrid battery propulsion system.
Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, DNV GL regional manager for South East Asia, Pacific and India, said: “The signing of this agreement signifies another milestone in the close partnership between DNV GL as the leading classification society for LNG ships and offshore assets, and Keppel Offshore & Marine, a world leader in conversion projects for FSRUs and floating liquefied natural gas vessels, as well as for newbuilding of small-scale LNG carriers and bunker vessels.”
DNV GL projects that more than 10% of the world fleet will use LNG for fuel by 2030 and 23% by 2050. However, a very large number of new LNG-powered vessels will need to be ordered very soon if the 2030 figure is to be achieved. The classification society estimates that less than 0.3% of ships currently use LNG for fuel.