Samsung Heavy Industries becomes first shipbuilder to receive Approval in Principle for independent ECO-Wind Turbine Installation Vessel from three major classification societies

In order to keep pace with the growing offshore wind industry, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) has ventured into the market by developing its own Wind Turbine Installation Vessel (WTIV) model with diverse green technologies adopted.

SHI announced it became the first shipbuilder to receive Approval in Principle (AiP) for its low carbon emission ECO-WTIV (LNG Fuel + SOFC) model named SLW-FUEL CELL from three major classification societies, American Shipping Bureau (ABS), DNV and Lloyd’s Register at the same time.

ECO-WTIV, compliant with new emissions targets thanks to the adoption of eco-friendly technologies including LNG-fueled engines, solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), and energy storage system (ESS), can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 50% compared to existing ships powered by diesel engines and save operating costs significantly with high power efficiency.

The receipt of AiP proves SHI has a verified state of the art ECO-WTIV through extensive experience in LNG productions like Floating LNG (FLNG). This independent WTIV model is expected to help to discover a cost-effective supply chain.

In December 2020, SHI partnered with Hyosung Heavy Industries, a Korean wind turbine gear unit equipment producer, for developing the enhanced and cost-effective jacking system, which is core equipment of WTIV.

“As the offshore wind industry grows, which is one of the pillars of the Green New Deal Policy, there will be more demand for WTIVs. It is very meaningful now that we secured our independent model featuring diverse cutting-edge green technologies,” said Wang K. Lee, Vice President of Offshore Business Division of SHI.

SHI has accumulated technologies and experience in WTIV construction, having successfully delivered three units after becoming the first shipbuilder in Korea to receive an order to build a WTIV in 2010.