HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) says it has taken a significant step in the liquefied gas sector with the commercialisation of its next-generation LPG cargo handling system (CHS), demonstrating its proven performance under real operating conditions.
HD KSOE’s LPG CHS has successfully completed its maiden cargo cycle following the system’s first installation onboard a vessel. The ship loaded propane and butane in Houston, Texas, and discharged them in Ecuador in early October 2025, successfully completing the full cargo cycle. The operation is said to have been carried out smoothly, validating the system’s reliability and safety in commercial service.
During vessel operation, a portion of the gas inside the tank naturally vaporises. The CHS technology re-liquefies the vaporised gas, preventing gas loss. The HD KSOE LPG CHS adopts a direct fuel supply system, which returns only part of the reliquefied gas to the tank while supplying the rest directly as fuel for the engine. This configuration maximises reliquefaction efficiency and minimises energy loss. It is estimated that HD KSOE’s LPG CHS could achieve about 18% improvement in reliquefaction efficiency compared to conventional systems. This innovation is considered to improve vessel operating efficiency while ensuring compliance with increasingly stringent IMO environmental regulations. Vibration levels remained stable throughout the operation, further demonstrating the system’s robustness.
The company secured its first order for the LPG CHS in June 2023 and has since expanded its portfolio to 48 shipsets under contract, reflecting strong demand from shipowners worldwide.
Jan Andersson, MD SeaQuest Marine, said: “SeaQuest Marine, with its extensive experience in the gas carrier newbuilding segment and involvement in nearly 100 gas projects, has taken the lead in adopting HD KSOE’s innovative CHS and reliquefaction system. The system combines intelligent design with reliable and robust performance, significantly reducing energy consumption in both DF-mode operation and onboard cargo reliquefaction. Having been implemented on several recent VLGC newbuilding projects, the system has already proven its ability to deliver the anticipated energy savings in real ship operations.”
Image: HD KSOE’s LPG cargo handling system (source: HD KSOE)
