RINA awards AIP for Swedish-designed LNG/hydrogen-fueled tanker

Classification society RINA has awarded an approval in principle (AIP) to Swedish designer FKAB Marine Design’s hydrogen-powered MR tanker.

Conceived by RINA and designed by FKAB, the ship’s propulsion is based on combining the LNG main fuel with steam to produce hydrogen and CO2.

The MR LNG/hydrogen-fueled vessel is the result of a joint project with ABB and Helbio, a subsidiary of Metacon.

The MR tanker design is based on combining LNG with steam in a Helbio gas reformer to split LNG molecules into hydrogen and CO2. Hydrogen is then directly used to fuel the internal combustion engines and fuel cells in a hybrid marine power system supplied by ABB.

The CO2 is captured by splitting the LNG molecules, rather than from exhaust gas.

FKAB said this is the first awarded AIP of a design using currently viable technology and fuels to achieve IMO 2050 targets.