LR has awarded Approval in Principle  for a new compact fuel storage and supply system, developed by HB Hunte Engineering. The new design combines the tank connection space, as required by the IGF Code, and the fuel storage hold, in which the type C fuel gas tanks are located, offering space and cost advantages.

The gas storage and supply system are designed to offer a space saving solution for smaller LNG-fuelled vessels that have limited room onboard. With more LNG solutions being implemented on small-scale vessels, the concept can deliver significant efficiency advantages for new buildings as well as retrofits.

LR awarded the AiP following a thorough analysis that confirms the technical and regulatory feasibility of the system, becoming the first classification society to approve HB Hunte’s design.

Wolfgang Franzelius, Director Sales & Business Development, HB Hunte Engineering, said:
“We realised that standard solutions for fuel gas systems will not work for small-scale vessels. Accordingly, we thought about a system which will require less space, a smaller ventilation system, shorter pipe routing and overall, less equipment costs. Thanks to LR’s technical support and intense alignments with some of our partners, we are now in a position to offer an efficient system, to support the challenging decarbonisation goals of the maritime industry.” 

Manuel Ortuño, Area Technical Support Office Manager North Europe, Lloyd’s Register, said:
“Awarding Approval in Principle for HB Hunte’s new fuel storage and supply system is a proud moment for LR. The compact solution will provide a number of benefits encouraging small-scale LNG newbuilds as well as incentives for retrofitting vessels. The maritime industry cannot limit decarbonisation measures to larger vessels and this solution will be a valuable tool in reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the small-scale LNG fleet.”

Markus Büsig, North Europe President, Lloyd’s Register, added:
“Clearly, developing this system represents an important step towards reducing the carbon footprint and enabling cleaner emissions in the segment of ships between 24m to 150m in length covered by LR’s Special Service Craft Rules (SSC). As not exclusively developed for LNG, the AiP will be an enabler for the use of various types of future green fuels for governmental, coastal, support and supply vessels.”