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Korean shipbuilder, Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd (HHI), has announced that it has jointly developed the world's first gas turbine-powered 174,000-cubic-metre (cbm) liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier with gas turbine maker GE Aviation and Marine (GE), and has secured approval in principle (AIP) on the vessel from the UK-based Lloyd's Register.

The IMO Tier III-compliant vessel is equipped with GE's gas turbine-based Combined Gas turbine Electric and Steam system (COGES 2.0).

HHI says that the vessel is expected to save shipowners or operators an estimated 20 billion Korean won ($17.83 million) on the assumption that the LNG carrier operates for 20 years with an annual operating cost of $720,000, since it does not need additional equipment to handle exhaust emissions.

The gas turbine-powered engine is 60 percent lighter than conventional engines and will lower operating and maintenance costs accordingly, says HHI. Durability and low vibration/noise of the engine are also said to be "test-proven" over 70 million hours of application on offshore platforms, onshore power plants, and high-speed ferryboats.

Brien Bolsinger, vice president of GE Aviation and Marine, remarked: "We have put enormous efforts into developing the world's first turbine-powered LNG carrier in close cooperation with HHI. With the AIP, we are proud to introduce the eco-friendly and fuel-efficient gas turbine-powered LNG carriers to the market."

Shin Hyun-soo, CTO of HHI, commented: "The LNG carrier we introduce today is a culmination of the seamless teamwork of GE and HHI. We will continue to enhance our competitiveness through ongoing technological cooperation including the application of the gas turbine engine to large containerships."