Asia's First LNG Carrier and Bunkering Dual-Purpose Ship 'Jeju LNG 2' Naming Ceremony

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bo-kyung] The naming ceremony for 'Jeju LNG No. 2,' Asia's first liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier and bunkering dual-purpose vessel, was held on the 10th at Samsung Heavy Industries in Geoje, Gyeongnam.

Jeju LNG No. 2 is a vessel equipped with a 7,500㎥ LNG tank capacity, performing both LNG transportation and bunkering between Tongyeong and Jeju. This vessel applies the 'KC-1,' a Korean-style LNG cargo tank design technology developed purely with domestic technology through cooperation between Korea Gas Corporation and three shipbuilding companies.

Although the International Maritime Organization (IMO) environmental regulations have been strengthened, necessitating the expansion of eco-friendly vessels such as LNG-powered ships, the lack of domestic LNG bunkering infrastructure has been an obstacle for shipowners in choosing LNG-powered vessels.

With Jeju LNG No. 2 starting operations this year and a newly ordered LNG bunkering-dedicated vessel beginning operations in the second half of 2022, it is expected that the initial LNG bunkering demand can be sufficiently met by 2025.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy plans to continue expanding preemptive investments in LNG bunkering infrastructure, including supporting the additional construction of LNG bunkering-dedicated vessels within this year to promote the spread of LNG-powered vessels and secure competitiveness in the bunkering industry.

An official from the Ministry stated, "We will build LNG bunkering infrastructure ahead of neighboring countries to promote the entry of overseas LNG-powered vessels into Korea," adding, "We will continue efforts through investments in LNG bunkering infrastructure to enable Korea to leap forward as the LNG bunkering hub of Northeast Asia."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.