Samsung Heavy Industries Applies Korean-Type LNG Cargo Containment System 'KC-2C' to Commercial Vessel for the First Time

Retrofit Completed and Maiden Voyage Successful at Geoje Shipyard
Showcasing Proprietary Technologies Including Laser Welding Robots

Samsung Heavy Industries has achieved technological independence in LNG cargo containment systems-a long-held goal of the Korean shipbuilding industry-by applying its independently developed Korean-type LNG cargo containment system, the 'KC-2C,' to a commercial carrier for the first time.

On October 27, Samsung Heavy Industries announced that, in collaboration with Korea Line LNG, it has installed the Korean-type KC-2C cargo containment system on a 7,500㎥ class LNG carrier for the first time. The vessel was recently delivered and successfully completed its maiden voyage from Tongyeong to the Jeju Aewol LNG terminal. Previously, in August of last year, the two companies signed a retrofit contract to replace the cargo containment system of an existing LNG carrier with the KC-2C, and construction has since been carried out at Samsung Heavy Industries' Geoje Shipyard. After completing gas trial operations, Samsung Heavy Industries delivered the vessel this month.

Night view of Samsung Heavy Industries Geoje Shipyard. Photo by The Asia Business Daily

The KC-2C is a Korean-type LNG cargo containment system developed by Samsung Heavy Industries to reduce reliance on foreign technology. It improves secondary barrier design and construction methods, thereby ensuring enhanced tightness and safety. The system also significantly improves insulation performance, increasing the efficiency of LNG storage. After completing mock-up tests in 2020, Samsung Heavy Industries established an LNG demonstration facility in 2021 and has since focused on internalizing core technologies. In 2023, the company installed the KC-2C on its own multipurpose LNG bunkering barge, the 'Green Nuri,' conducting cooling tests and gas trials to validate the system. Over the past two years, the Green Nuri has performed a total of 123 LNG bunkering operations, demonstrating the stability of the KC-2C.

For this project, Samsung Heavy Industries deployed its self-developed 'laser high-speed welding robot' for membrane sheet welding in the ultra-low temperature environment of minus 163 degrees Celsius, greatly increasing production efficiency. A representative from Samsung Heavy Industries stated, "The application of the KC-2C to a commercial vessel is highly significant as it localizes a core technology that previously depended heavily on foreign sources. Going forward, we aim to demonstrate the global competitiveness of the KC-2C cargo containment system through retrofit and newbuild projects for 174,000㎥ class LNG carriers."

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