Gyeongnam Province Establishes Korea's First LNG Bunkering Loading Arm

LNG Bunkering Core Equipment Support Infrastructure Completed

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Seryeong] Gyeongsangnam-do has completed the construction of the 'LNG Bunkering Core Equipment Support Infrastructure' that started in 2018.

Gyeongnam Province announced on the 19th that it has completed the facility construction within the Goseong Gyeongnam Technopark (TP) Shipbuilding and Marine Headquarters and will begin full-scale support for companies.

According to the province, this facility is divided into ▲ LNG bunkering equipment testing and certification center ▲ LNG bunkering equipment design engineering center ▲ corporate support for equipment localization ▲ virtual training system construction for safe LNG bunkering.

A provincial official explained, "Among the testing and certification equipment, the core LNG bunkering loading arm package system was established for the first time in Korea," adding, "It is the third in the world after the Netherlands Applied Science Research Institute (TNO) and the Norwegian Institute of Science and Technology Industry Research (SINTEF)."

LNG Bunkering Loading Arm Package System.
Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government

The LNG bunkering loading arm package system consists of ship simulation equipment and loading arms.

It connects the simulated LNG fuel propulsion ship and the fuel supply piping to replicate the shaking similar to actual sea conditions, and related equipment such as Quick Connect-Disconnect Coupler (QCDC), Emergency Release Coupling (ERC), and cryogenic hoses can be checked under cryogenic conditions to ensure there are no issues with LNG bunkering.

The LNG bunkering virtual training system unfolds a 3D environment identical to the actual bunkering process.

It allows users to experience and train in the bunkering process between the bunkering ship and the LNG fuel propulsion ship in a virtual space.

The province expects that "this will be very helpful not only for equipment development companies but also for crew members aboard LNG bunkering ships and LNG fuel propulsion ships."

LNG Bunkering Virtual Training System.
[Image provided by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

At the Gyeongnam TP Shipbuilding and Marine Headquarters, the constructed facilities will support the localization of equipment, and through the LNG bunkering transfer system to be completed by the end of this year, actual sea track records will be secured and integrated support will be provided for installation in bunkering facilities.

A provincial official said, "Once the LNG bunkering transfer system is established, the reliability of domestic products can be verified at the Gyeongnam Technopark Shipbuilding and Marine Headquarters, and in the future, domestically developed equipment will replace foreign equipment."

Ryu Myeong-hyun, Director of the Industry and Trade Bureau, said, "Currently, the shipbuilding industry is experiencing a boom with the largest orders since 2013, largely influenced by orders for high value-added LNG ships," adding, "In connection with the campaign pledge of the 8th local government to establish an eco-friendly ship cluster, we will realize the high value-added of the shipbuilding and marine plant industry and help maintain the shipbuilding industry's super-gap."