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Classification society DNV GL has presented Hyundai Heavy Industries CO., Ltd. (HHI) with an approval in principle (AiP) certificate at the Nor-Shipping exhibition in Oslo this week.

The result of development conducted by HHI and co-work closely together with DNV GL, the certificate confirms that the concept complies with the DNV GL rules for the classification of ships. HHI's Senior Executive Vice President & COO of Shipbuilding Division, Yoon Moon-kyoon, was presented with the certificate by Tor E. Svensen, CEO of DNV GL - Maritime, at a ceremony at the DNV GL booth.

First demonstrated at the SMM trade fair in Hamburg last year, the SkyBench concept is an innovative design to increase the cargo capacity of large container vessels. The bridge and upper three decks of a 'twin island' design container would be constructed as a separate sliding block, mounted on rails and able to move over the length of two 40-foot container bays.

In combination with a resizing and relocation of fuel tanks and the utilization of the void spaces beneath the accommodation block in a traditional design, this allows the addition of two extra 20-foot container bays. The resulting cargo increase amounts to 270-TEU on a 17-row-wide 10,000-TEU ship, 450-TEU on a 23-row-wide 19,000-TEU ship and 350-TEU on a 20-row-wide 14,000-TEU vessel.

"We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to DNV GL for the approval of our SkyBench concept design," said Yoon Moon-kyoon. "As we have been doing over the past four decades, we will continue to provide competitive ships differentiated from others in terms of quality, reliability and technological capabilities to our valued clients. I believe that SkyBench, like many other previous technological breakthroughs we have shown to the world, will surely bring benefits to our customers."

"This was an extremely interesting and exciting project and we are very pleased that HHI selected us to work with them to realize this concept," remarked Tor E. Svensen. "The SkyBench shows how the industry's increased focus on efficiency and maximizing transport capacity has really sparked innovation in design and operation. Additionally, the potential of this design to offset reduced cargo capacity when choosing LNG as ship fuel means that HHI can offer a design tailored to meet stricter sulphur emission limits in the future.”

The SkyBench mechanism takes ten minutes to operate, using four electric drive train units to move the block backwards from its normal position. The two 40-fooot side casings on which the accommodation block rests provide structural strength and hold lifeboats, provision cranes and utility rooms. In an emergency, the sliding block is detachable and is designed to float independently of the vessel.

Possible principle dimensions of a SkyBench container carrier:

Length over all (LOA) - Approx. 400 metres

Length between perpendiculars - 383.00 metres

Breadth moulded - 58.60 metres

Depth moulded to main deck - 30.50 metres

Draught scantling - 16.00 metres

Container capacity - 19,400 TEU