Classification society DNV GL has given ShipInox an Approval in Principle (AiP) for its new small-scale LNG carrier/bunker vessel design.

DNV GL said on Tuesday that this was the first ever class-approved design based on an offshore supply vessel (OSV).

With a length of 92 meters, the ship will have a carrying capacity of 6,000 cubic meters.

DNV GL’s most recent forecast predicts that by 2050 over 20 percent of total shipping energy will be provided by LNG.

In the shorter term, with the sulfur cap on fuel entering into force in January 2020, the combination of technical maturity, efficiency, availability, and emissions reduction means that LNG is a viable option for many vessels, especially for newbuilding projects.

Rune Østbøe, CEO of ShipInox, said: “Not only DNV GL and the Norwegian Maritime Authority, but a diverse range of companies spanning Innovation Norway, to the LNG-specialists at Torgy, and Fearnleys have all enabled us to deliver on this design. We are now in a position where we can help to accelerate entries into small-scale LNG with this fast-to-market and low-cost LNG carrier.”

Trond Hodne, SVP at DNV GL, added: “This design could be a viable option for owners looking to move into different segments in a challenging market, especially as the gas segment continues to gain importance in shipping.”

It is worth noting that an Approval in Principle is an independent assessment of a concept within an agreed framework, confirming that the design is feasible, and no significant obstacles exist to prevent the concept from being realized.