New U.S. LNG Bunkering Vessel Design Receives ABS Approval
Key Takeaways
- •The approved design is a 12,000 cubic meter LNG bunkering articulated tug and barge.
- •Conrad Shipyard and Samsung Heavy Industries jointly developed the vessel design.
- •American Bureau of Shipping granted the approval in principle, an early classification milestone.
- •The companies announced the approval at the opening of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center in Washington.
- •The vessel is planned for construction in the United States under the Conrad-Samsung partnership.
A new U.S. LNG bunkering vessel design has received approval in principle (AiP) from classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).
The approval covers a 12,000 m3 LNG bunkering articulated tug and barge (ATB) jointly developed by U.S.-based Conrad Shipyard and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), according to a recent joint press release from the companies.
The companies announced the approval during the opening of the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center (KUSPC) in Washington.
The vessel is planned to be built in the U.S. under the partnership between Conrad and SHI.
For LNG bunkering projects, an AiP is an early-step classification milestone that helps confirm a design can move forward through further engineering and regulatory review before construction decisions are finalized. In this case, the approval also underscores how U.S. and Korean shipbuilding partners are positioning collaboration around vessels tied to LNG fuel logistics, an area that depends on compatible design, safety standards, and port-side refueling infrastructure.
"This achievement reflects Conrad's commitment to combining proven shipbuilding expertise with innovative engineering and strong strategic partnerships," Cecil Hernandez, President and CEO of Conrad Shipyard, said.