Korea Marine Transport Company (KMTC Line) has launched a joint development project (JDP) with compatriot classification society Korean Register of Shipping (KRS) and shipbuilder Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) to design a 1,800TEU ballast-free container ship.
Under the memorandum of understanding signed on 20 July 2020, HMD is doing the basic design of a ballast-free container ship as well as creating a vessel design that discharges minimal ballast water.
KRS will assess the stability and suitability of the ship design, and before licensing the design, will verify the validity based on relevant international standards.
When the JDP is completed in the fourth quarter of this year, KRS plans to grant AIP (Approval in Principle), which is the basic classification certificate for the container carrier design.
KMTC Line and KRS also plan for the ship design to be economical and eco-friendly, by comparing and analysing the cargo loading capacity. The operational efficiency of the container ship design, based on minimal ballast water discharge and non-discharge of ballast water, will be tested.
Ballast water has been cited as the main cause of ecological disturbance in oceans and seas.
KRS stated that the JDP is an example of strong cooperation between domestic businesses, and the government has been pushing for more of such efforts in order to revitalise the struggling maritime sector.
HMD’s managing director, Nam Young-jun said, “With this JDP, we will secure a technology that minimises or blocks the discharge of ballast water to feeder-class container carriers, thereby strengthening our position in the eco-friendly ship sector.”
Martina Li
Asia Correspondent
