POSCO and Hanwha Ocean plan high-manganese steel trial for LNG cargo tanks
In short
POSCO and Hanwha Ocean signed an agreement on October 15 to secure a demonstration vessel with high-manganese steel LNG cargo tanks. The companies plan to test the material's safety, durability and operating efficiency at sea before pursuing wider commercial use.
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POSCO and Hanwha Ocean have agreed to secure a demonstration vessel using high-manganese steel in LNG cargo tanks, extending their cooperation beyond the material's use in ships' fuel tanks. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding at Hanwha Ocean's Geoje yard on October 15, Yonhap reported. [ 2 ]
Hanwha Ocean will lead construction of the vessel, while POSCO International and POSCO Flow will help secure and operate it. The companies plan to test safety, durability and operating efficiency under actual sailing conditions. They intend to build an operating record that can be presented to international shipowners as they pursue commercialization. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
POSCO developed the special steel to maintain strength and impact toughness at temperatures of minus 163 degrees Celsius or below. According to the company, using manganese offers cost and material-supply advantages over the expensive nickel alloy steel commonly used in LNG cargo tanks. ZDNet Korea reported that the companies will validate the design's claimed advantages through operation of the demonstration vessel. [ 2 , 5 ]
The scale of the potential application is larger than that of fuel tanks. LNG fuel tanks store a ship's own propulsion fuel, whereas LNG carrier cargo tanks hold LNG being transported. POSCO says fuel tanks require roughly 1,000 tonnes of material per ship, while cargo tanks require about 10,000 tonnes or more. The companies have already used high-manganese steel on 51 vessels, including in LNG fuel tanks. [ 2 , 5 ]
The company says independently manufactured cargo tanks could shorten shipyard construction time and that boil-off rates can be designed around shipowners' requirements. The companies plan to extend applications to LNG bunkering vessels and floating storage and regasification units. Yonhap also reported plans to expand into vessels carrying hydrogen, ethane and ammonia. [ 2 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The project would extend the material's use from ships' fuel tanks to much larger cargo tanks. POSCO says LNG carrier cargo tanks require about 10,000 tonnes or more of material per ship, compared with roughly 1,000 tonnes for LNG fuel tanks.
Key facts
- The companies signed the memorandum at Hanwha Ocean's Geoje yard on October 15. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Hanwha Ocean will lead construction of the demonstration vessel. [ 2 , 3 , 5 ]
- POSCO International and POSCO Flow will support securing and operating the vessel. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- The companies have applied high-manganese steel to 51 ships, including LNG fuel tanks. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]