K Shipbuilding and Lloyd’s Register (LR) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly develop an ethanol-fuelled 50,000-DWT Medium Range (MR) tanker. The project will assess the technical feasibility, safety and regulatory compliance of the design.
The companies have announced the project at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok. The objective is to achieve approval in principle (AiP) from LR and create a commercially competitive vessel concept for the global product tanker market.
LR will undertake technical reviews covering vessel arrangements, stability, structural requirements and fuel tank integration. K Shipbuilding will lead the vessel design and development programme. The project will also examine opportunities to optimise vessel design and operational efficiency while ensuring compliance with applicable class rules and international regulations.
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From cargo to fuel
Theo Kourmpelis, Global Business Director for tankers, LR: ‘Ethanol is already a familiar cargo across the product tanker trades, which makes the MR segment a practical place to assess it as a fuel. As ethanol production and seaborne trade continue to develop, owners active in these trades are well placed to connect its role as a cargo with its use onboard. This project will give owners a clearer basis for evaluating ethanol within their fleet strategies, and help lay the groundwork for its broader uptake across the tanker sector.’
‘Shipping’s energy transition is unlikely to be delivered through a single fuel solution,’ adds Andy McKeran, Chief Growth Officer, LR. ‘Shipowners are increasingly looking at a range of fuel options and want confidence that emerging technologies can be implemented safely, efficiently and in compliance with evolving regulations. This project will help deepen industry understanding of ethanol’s potential in the tanker sector and provide owners with greater insight into how alternative fuel solutions can be incorporated into commercially viable vessel designs.’
Picture: The joint development project was announced at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok (photo LR).
Also read: LR grants first type approval to marine hydrogen engine
