K Shipbuilding, Bound4blue and Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) signed a Joint Development Project (JDP) for the development of a new generation LR1 tanker that incorporates the Wind Assisted Propulsion System (WAPS) technology, representing a significant advance in sustainable maritime innovation.
The collaboration focuses on the design and optimization of a 74,000 DWT LR1 tanker equipped with advanced wind-assisted propulsion technology. The project aims to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure compliance with increasingly stringent international environmental regulations.
In response to growing regulatory pressure and rising fuel costs, the maritime sector continues to seek innovative solutions to improve both operational efficiency and environmental performance. This Joint Development Project combines the complementary expertise of the three partners to deliver a practical, efficient and commercially competitive vessel design, aligned with future market demands.
K Shipbuilding leads the vessel design development, including the general arrangement, stability assessments and integration of the WAPS foundations and related systems.
Bound4blue provides technical expertise in wind propulsion technology, including system integration requirements and key performance deliverables.
Bureau Veritas carries out design review and verification activities to ensure compliance with applicable classification rules and international regulations, and an Approval in Principle (AiP) will be issued upon successful completion of the project.
The project also encompasses a comprehensive technical assessment covering critical aspects such as vessel stability, structural integrity, system integration and operational safety. Through this collaborative effort, the partners seek to validate the technical feasibility and performance of the WAPS-equipped LR1 tanker, thereby reinforcing its commercial appeal.
This Joint Development Project represents a significant step forward in the adoption of wind-assisted propulsion technologies in the tanker segment. It contributes to the maritime industry’s decarbonization efforts and supports the global transition towards more sustainable shipping solutions.
Tae-Hyun Koh, Chief Technology Officer of K Shipbuilding, noted that “as demand for sustainable shipping solutions continues to grow, this JDP will further strengthen our capabilities in developing eco-friendly vessel technology and enhance our competitiveness in the global LR1 tanker market.”
Daniel Mann, Commercial Director of Bound4blue, added that “tankers are one of the segments where wind propulsion can make a practical difference, but every project must start from a solid technical foundation. This Joint Development Program (JDP) represents an important step, as it integrates vessel design, classification review and our expertise with eSAIL integration from the outset.”
Nos complace colaborar con K Shipbuilding y Bureau Veritas para evaluar el panorama completo: estabilidad, estructura, seguridad, integración y rendimiento, demostrando cómo la energía eólica puede proporcionar empuje directo para diseños de buques tanque preparados para el futuro”.
“Este proyecto de desarrollo conjunto refleja la sólida alianza entre K Shipbuilding, Bound4blue y Bureau Veritas, así como nuestro compromiso compartido con el desarrollo de diseños de buques innovadores y respetuosos con el medio ambiente. Mediante esta colaboración, buscamos respaldar la entrega de un buque tanque LR1 de alta eficiencia que satisfaga las futuras expectativas del mercado. Esperamos continuar nuestra colaboración para impulsar soluciones de buques tanque de última generación para la industria marítima global”, indicó Alex Gregg-Smith, presidente de Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore.
