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The Korean Register (KR) – an IACS member classification society – is leading a project to build and operate the world’s first green-ship equipment certification centre in Gunsan, Jeonbuk, Korea which is due to open in February 2014.

Work is already underway and the new 300 billion won (US$269 million) facility is being constructed with the full support of the Korean Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, the local government and various research institutes.

This ambitious project has been created in response to IMO’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction and maritime pollution regulations and will enable KR to play a key role in certifying essential green ship components, including engines.

The new centre will be equipped with an 8MW-class engine test-bed, hybrid power systems, a fuel Q/P and emission bench, Organic Ranking Cycle (ORC) systems and other facilities.

The 8MW-class engine test-bed is the first to be available anywhere in the world and is attracting significant interest from major shipyards.

"The certification centre will become a global focus for green-ship equipment and machinery resulting in KR and its industry and academic partners establishing themselves as a leading authority on maritime technology that is designed to lessen environmental impact," KR said.

The centre will conduct inspections, certification, R&D and act as a test hub for new technologies.

KR Chairman and CEO, Dr Chon Young-kee remarked: "We take our environmental obligations extremely seriously and we want to do all we can to encourage the maritime industry to be as green and clean as it can be. This dedicated new facility will allow us to take the leading role in green-ship technology and become the global benchmark for testing and certifying vessel machinery."