South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has cut the first steel to be used in the construction of two new very large gas carriers (VLGCs) ordered by Norwegian shipping company Solvang.
The VLGCs will be the first two in a new series of seven ships ordered by Solvang from HHI. All will be classed by DNV.
The ships will each have a total cargo capacity of 88,000 cubic metres and will be offshore carbon capture and storage-ready.
Installed systems will include emission control systems comprising low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation, hybrid exhaust gas cleaning systems with water treatment in both open and closed loop, and electrostatic filters that can remove up to 95 per cent of particles from the exhaust stream.
Solvang said that the vessels will each be equipped with a single-liquid fuel system. Given the total emission control capabilities, the setup is suitable for both conventional HFO, low-sulphur fuel oil, MGO, bio-fuels, or e-fuels.
The VLGCs are scheduled for delivery in 2026.