Korean Register (KR) News

KR (Korean Register) has launched two new digital platforms, PILOT (Platform for Insightful LOw-emission Transitions) and POWER (Performance evaluation for Operational characteristics, Weather & aging Effect and fuel consumption Review), designed to support the shipping industry in developing optimal carbon-reduction strategies and enhancing operational efficiency. As the EU’s greenhouse gas regulations, EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime, are already in force, the delay in the International...

KR (Korean Register) brought together four major maritime digital solution providers, Avikus, LAB021, Mapsea, and Marineworks, through a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote digital transformation across the maritime industry.  As global decarbonisation regulations tighten and digitalisation advances, demand is rising sharply for sophisticated digital solutions that support efficient ship operations and ensure compliance with environmental standards. Through this partnership,...

KR (Korean Register) announced on September 10 at Gastech 2025 that it has granted an Approval in Principle (AIP) for an LNG Boil-off Gas (BOG) Treatment System jointly developed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) and Donghwa Pneutec. The AIP, awarded in cooperation with the Liberian Registry (LISCR), is based on a concept proposed by HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE).  BOG treatment system Newly developed BOG treatment system is designed for installation an...

KR (Korean Register) has granted Approval in Principle (AIP) for the ammonia-fuelled ship safety solution ‘Hi-CLEARS’ (Hyundai integrated Clean Liquid based Ammonia Release mitigation system with SCR). The system was developed in collaboration with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and was announced on September 11 at Gastech 2025 in Milan, Italy.  Future international technical standards The approval is the re...

KR (Korean Register) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HD Hyundai Samho on September 9 at Gastech 2025 in Milan, the world’s largest gas and energy exhibition. The two companies will jointly develop a water circulation system for the double-wall pipe annular space of ammonia-fueled vessels, aiming to enhance the safety of next-generation ships powered by ammonia. Ship design and operation Ammonia is drawing watch as a next-generation carbon-free fuel, but its toxicity and...

KR (Korean Register) has awarded Approval in Principle (AIP) to HD Hyundai Mipo and HD Hyundai Samho for their Internet of Things (IoT)-based Smart Accommodation System, announced on September 9 at the Gastech exhibition in Milan, Italy.  The approval highlights KR’s leadership in supporting the safe adoption of smart ship technologies, while showcasing the innovation of next-generation accommodation design. Advancing safe technology standards The Smart Accommodation System employs...

KR (Korean Register) is pleased to announce that Lee Jungkun, General Manager of KR’s Convention & Legislation Service Team, has been elected as the next Chair of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) Safety Panel, with a three-year term running from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028.  The appointment was confirmed at the 91st IACS Council Meeting held in Beijing, China.  IACS’s seven technical panels The Safety Panel is one of IAC...

KR (Korean Register) has officially launched a joint working group to establish international standards for the safe discharge of toxic ammonia effluent generated from ammonia-fueled ships. The initiative brings together Korean major shipbuilders—HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI), HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), HD Hyundai Samho, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), and Hanwha Ocean—as well as the Korea Testing & Research Institute (KTR), a national ce...

KR (Korean Register) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with HD Hyundai Samho on June 11 to jointly develop AI-based solutions for innovation in ship design and analysis. This partnership is a part of a broader digital transformation strategy aimed at enhancing design productivity and strengthening the capabilities of ship design engineers in the rapidly evolving shipbuilding landscape. The collaboration focuses on leveraging artificial intelligence to build a more efficient and accurat...

KR (Korean Register) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) on June 3 during Nor-Shipping 2025 to jointly develop a very large ethane carrier (VLEC). Ethane carriers are high value-added vessels designed to transport liquefied ethane at ultra-low temperatures of around -100°C. These ships require advanced engineering capabilities and highly specialised design expertise due to the complexity of their cargo. New very large ethane carrier (VLEC)...

KR (Korean Register) signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Hanwha Ocean on June 3 during Nor-Shipping 2025 in Oslo. The agreements cover the joint development of a 150K ultra-large ammonia carrier and an LNG carrier featuring a forward deckhouse arrangement. The 150K ammonia carrier project aims to develop an ultra-large vessel capable of transporting substantial volumes of ammonia, while also utilising ammonia as marine fuel. Special emphasis will be placed on safety design, given...

KR (Korean Register) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) on June 4 at Nor-Shipping 2025 in Oslo to jointly develop a 174,000㎥ LNG carrier featuring three cargo tanks. Despite the ongoing trend toward larger vessels across all ship types, the 174K LNG carrier remains the standard design in the global LNG shipbuilding market, with dozens of orders placed annually. Revised cargo tank configuration To further enhance the technical competitiveness of thi...

KR (Korean Register) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with HD Hyundai Mipo and HD Korean Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) on June 3 at Nor-Shipping 2025 in Oslo, Norway.  The agreement focuses on applying Engineering Critical Assessment (ECA) techniques to the design of Type-C cargo tanks for liquefied gas carriers to ensure their structural safety.  Integrity of cargo tanks Ensuring the structural integrity of cargo tanks has become a critical element...

KR (Korean Register) has released the latest edition of KR-CON, version 23, a comprehensive digital database encompassing nearly all International Maritime Organization (IMO) instruments. KR-CON has been widely used by maritime professionals and government agencies worldwide since its launch in 2000, providing easy access to IMO documents on both PC and mobile devices. Its widespread adoption highlights its convenience and technological excellence as one of KR’s flagship services. Future...

KR (Korean Register) has awarded the world's first Approval in Principle (AIP) to HD KSOE for its breakthrough vacuum-insulated large-scale liquid hydrogen tank system, marking a significant advancement in clean energy transportation technology. The AIP follows the successful completion of validation tests, demonstrating the system’s feasibility and innovative design. The transition to a hydrogen-based society demands advanced technologies for the large-scale transportation and storage of...

A landmark partnership to develop the safety guidelines for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering has been established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between KR (Korean Register), HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI), KSS Line, and the Liberian Registry. Robust safety standards As the demand for ammonia-fuelled vessels rises, this partnership aims to establish robust safety standards for STS ammonia bunkering, an efficient metho...

In a significant step towards establishing eco-friendly maritime practices, South Korea successfully conducted its first Simultaneous Operations (SIMOPs) of ship-to-ship methanol bunkering at Busan New Port on 4th October. This groundbreaking achievement marks a crucial advancement in the nation's commitment to developing a sustainable ship fuel supply chain. Key highlights First-ever SIMOPs methanol bunkering in South Korea. 11-hour operation supplying approximately 3,000 tons of methanol...

KR (Korean Register) has granted Approval in Principle (AIP) for the Crew Transfer Vessel (CTV), a passenger and cargo transport vessel dedicated to offshore wind farms, developed by MARCON, a Korean maritime service company. CTVs are widely used in Europe for transporting workers and equipment necessary for offshore wind farm construction and maintenance. However, the use of diesel engines has raised concerns about carbon emissions. Hybrid electric propulsion system The CTV that received AIP...

At GASTECH 2024 in Houston, KR (Korean Register) announced on September 17 that it had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) to develop an enhanced ammonia fuel supply system. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has established a target to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In line with this regulatory goal, there is a global acceleration in the development of alternative fuel technologies. Ammonia fuel supply system HD...

KR (Korean Register) has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Hyundai Mipo (HD HMD) for their innovative 23K Ammonia Bunkering Vessel and 18K LNG Bunkering Vessel on September 18, at GASTECH 2024, paving the way for green shipping. The development of these vessels represents a significant advancement in the maritime industry’s efforts to meet the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets, which include at least 20% by 2030 an...

KR is proud to announce the successful delivery of the groundbreaking low-carbon sailing cargo ship SV Juren Ae (IMO no. 1021245) to the Marshall Islands Shipping Corporation (MISC) on 31 July. Built under the KR class in South Korea, this innovative vessel marks a significant milestone in sustainable maritime transport. Funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI), the SV Juren Ae, a 48-metre-long, 300 dwt supply vessel, is the result of a collaborative effort led by the Germ...

KR has announced the successful installation of an onboard carbon capture system (OCCS) with purely domestic technology, and it will soon undergo internal verification testing. Risk assessment and application The project began in April 2023 as a collaborative effort with HMM, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), and PANASIA. As a result of this collaboration, the system was installed on the 2,200 teu container ship, HMM Mongla. KR conducted the risk assessment and application of relevant regulatio...

KR has signed an MoU with HD Hyundai to collaborate on the pilot project of a cloud-based next-generation smart ship solution (ISS 2.0) developed by HD Hyundai, on June 4th at Posidonia 2024, held in Athens, Greece. Smart ship solutions  This project, jointly undertaken by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI), HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), HD Hyundai Marine Solution (HD HMS), Sinokor Merchant Marine, and KR, aims to equip and demonstrate next-generation smart...

KR has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the next-generation K-Ammonia Storage & Powered PCTC, developed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) with the participation of Hyundai Glovis and G-Marine Service, at Posidonia 2024. Ammonia fuel technology Currently, to address the increasingly stringent global greenhouse gas regulations, the development of alternative fuel technologies is actively underway, and ammonia fuel technology is one of the most highly regarded in the market.&n...

Korean Register (KR) has awarded an Approval in Principle (AIP) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) for a new type of tank shape designed for various liquefied gases and fuels. The announcement was made during Nor-Shipping 2023 in Oslo, Norway on 8 June, 2023. The new tank shape, developed by HD HHI, is designed to improve safety and productivity. The new tank shape aims to address the challenge of sloshing that impacts the transportation of liquefied gases, such as LNG. Sloshing refers to...

Korean Register (KR) has awarded an AIP (Approval in Principle) for a 40,000 m3 LCO2 carrier developed by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) in collaboration with KR.  Result of collaboration The certificate was presented during a ceremony held at Nor-Shipping 2023 in Oslo, Norway on 7 June. This achievement is the result of a successful collaboration between SHI and KR, with SHI designing the cargo tank and hull structure, while KR verified the suitability of the design by reviewing classif...

Korean Register (KR) has granted Approval in Principle (AIP) for a methanol-fuelled MR tanker, jointly developed by KR, South Korean shipbuilders - K Shipbuilding and equipment manufacturer - S&SYS at Nor-Shipping 2023 in Oslo, Norway on 6 June, 2023. Joint Development Project As part of the Joint Development Project (JDP) between the three companies, the MR tanker is designed as a dual-fuel vessel, harnessing the power of marine gas oil (MGO) and methanol. The vessel incorporates two m...