DNV has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) for the design of next-generation LNG carriers (LNGCs) and Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLECs), featuring forward accommodation and Wind-Assisted Propulsion Systems (WAPS).
The groundbreaking designs—174,000 cbm LNGCs and 100,000 cbm VLECs (Ethane/LPG carriers)—mark the first from HD HHI to combine a forward accommodation layout with integrated tiltable rotor sails. The LNGC design will be equipped with four tiltable rotor sails from Norsepower, while the VLEC design will incorporate two. Both designs have been assessed for compliance with DNV’s WAPS notation under DNV Rules Pt.6 Ch.2 Sec.12.
By adopting the forward accommodation concept, the designs address operational challenges of WAPS installations, including compliance with COLREG visibility requirements, while maximizing the efficiency benefits of wind-assisted propulsion. This innovation is expected to enhance fuel savings and reduce emissions significantly.
Hong-Ryeul Ryu, CTO & Executive Vice President at HD HHI, said: “These vessels’ concepts are expected to become a future platform capable of flexibly responding to the stringent environmental regulations.”
Vidar Dolonen, Regional Manager, Korea & Japan at DNV Maritime, added: “WAPS have been going from strength to strength over the past few years. With current advances in technology, materials, and production capacity, this momentum will accelerate further. Tailoring vessel design to integrate rotor sail systems by ship type and size is a major step forward. We are pleased to award this AiP to HD HHI for their LNGC and VLEC concepts, which showcase the potential of combining forward accommodation with wind-assisted propulsion for energy efficiency and emissions reduction.”
An Approval in Principle is an independent evaluation confirming the feasibility of a concept against a defined set of requirements and ensuring there are no significant technical obstacles to implementation.
Photo caption: At the AiP handover at Gastech 2025 (from left): Jae Hun Lim, DNV; Sung Ho Shin, DNV; Jung Sik Kim, LISCR; Thomas Klenum, EVP, LISCR; Hong-Ryeul Ryu, CTO of HD HHI; Vidar Dolonen, Regional Manager, DNV; Chul Young Kang, DNV; Tae Kyung Im, LISCR.