Korean Register (KR) - a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) – has announced that it is to work alongside the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Secretariat (APEC) to promote the use of LNG-fuelled ships in the APEC region.
APEC has awarded a contract to KR to further the understanding of the current state and future potential for LNG-fuelled vessels to serve the region’s maritime trade requirements. Work is to also include a programme to share knowledge and best practice across the APEC region with the aim of promoting this new technology.
At the 7th APEC Transportation Ministerial meeting held in 2011, the group confirmed their commitment to "an action agenda to move APEC towards an energy efficient, sustainable, low carbon transport future".
"LNG fuelled shipping is believed to be one of the optimum potential solutions to help achieve this aim," KR said in a statement this week.
KR is to lead the APEC funded project supported by Japanese and Canadian representatives within APEC's
Maritime Expert Group and Transport Working Group. The class society has agreed to undertake an extensive programme of research focusing on the current application of LNG technologies, associated safety aspects, seaborne trade statistics and best practice. Results are to be shared with APEC member economies to help narrow the technology gap between countries.
Dr. Kim Chang-wook, Executive Vice President and acting Chairman and CEO of KR remarked: "We are proud to be internationally recognized as a technical consultancy qualified to deliver high-quality research and expertise on LNG-fuelled ships to the APEC community. I am confident that this project will raise our collective knowledge on the potential for LNG-fuelled vessels and help create a practical environment for the application of this innovative technology for eco-friendly transport solutions.”
KR said the project is scheduled to begin "shortly" and that it is expected to be completed by the end of 2015.
