Liberia Ship Registry introduced six innovative projects at Gastech 2026, showcasing collaboration among shipowners, shipbuilders, designers, classification societies, technology providers, and this entity. These six projects demonstrated practical approval methods considering technical, safety, legal, and commercial considerations.
Innovative Projects and Principle Approvals
Liberia Ship Registry and Lloyd's Register granted principle approvals to HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering for the VesselWise project. This artificial intelligence technology automatically optimizes the performance of a ship's auxiliary machinery. Developed on the Integrated Smartship Solution platform, this system contributes to safer, more efficient, and lower carbon operations of ships while also considering performance and cybersecurity requirements. These approvals provide a foundation for validation and further development onboard the vessel.
Additionally, Liberia Ship Registry and Lloyd's Register issued new principle approvals for the optimized design of Type C tanks from HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. This concept reduces unnecessary tank weight using advanced direct calculations, improving cost and operational efficiency while maintaining the required safety and legal compliance levels.
New Ships and LNG Services
Liberia Ship Registry and DNV also granted principle approvals for an LNG bunkering vessel with a capacity of 12,000 cubic meters, specifically designed to service cruise ships, to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. This concept eliminates traditional bridge wings to prevent interference with the lifeboats of cruise ships and utilizes CCTV cameras and 360-degree monitoring systems to support safe operations. This vessel can independently conduct LNG bunkering operations without the need for a floating pontoon while maintaining safety, legal compliance, and operational reliability.
The innovation and energy transition team at Liberia Ship Registry has assisted in the early identification of appropriate approval pathways for these projects, considering IMO tools and class regulations, risk assessment, and validation needs.
Alfonso Castillero, CEO of Liberia Ship Registry, stated at the ceremony: "The six ceremonies at Gastech demonstrated the power of early collaboration among shipbuilders, owners, classification societies, technology providers, and flags. By agreeing on the basis of approval and the evidence pathway from the outset, innovative designs can progress with greater clarity and confidence."
Owners, shipbuilders, and technology developers interested in exploring a new ship concept, retrofitting, or alternative fuel programs can contact the innovation and energy transition team.
