LR and HD KSOE advance AI and hybrid electric technologies for LNG carriers

Lloyd’s Register (LR) and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) are advancing two technologies aimed at improving the efficiency and operation of future LNG carriers.

The developments cover AI-powered machinery optimisation and hybrid electric propulsion, with both projects presented at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok.

One project involves HD KSOE’s VesselWise technology, while the second focuses on the design of a 185,000 cbm hybrid electric LNG carrier.

LR approves AI machinery optimisation technology

LR has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD KSOE for the Autonomous Auxiliary Machinery Optimisation Function within its VesselWise technology.

The system forms part of HD KSOE’s Integrated Smartship Solution platform. It uses automation and artificial intelligence to improve the operation of auxiliary machinery onboard vessels.

Rather than only monitoring equipment or providing recommendations, the technology is designed to autonomously optimise machinery operations.

LR assessed the concept against the safety, performance and cybersecurity requirements of its ShipRight Digital Ships framework.

The approval will support further testing of the technology, with future verification expected to include its application onboard a 174,000 cbm LNG carrier.

HD KSOE said the technology could support safer and more efficient vessel operations while reducing the reliance on human decision-making for increasingly complex machinery systems.

Hybrid electric LNG carrier moves forward

In a separate project, LR has joined HD KSOE and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to advance a 185,000 cbm LNG carrier with hybrid electric propulsion.

The partners will focus on the development and safety verification of the propulsion system.

Their work will cover areas including system architecture, redundancy and battery integration.

The project also aims to develop technical requirements and guidance for hybrid electric propulsion as the technology moves towards wider use in LNG shipping.

“Hybrid electric propulsion has clear potential to support efficiency gains and emissions reduction, but its application at this scale requires a robust approach to design and safety,” said Andy McKeran, Chief Growth Officer of Lloyd’s Register.

Technologies could extend beyond LNG carriers

The partners expect lessons from the hybrid electric project to have applications beyond the LNG carrier sector.

The work could support future developments involving electric propulsion, fuel cells and other advanced vessel technologies.

For HD KSOE, the two projects form part of its broader work on digitalisation and electric propulsion, combining automated vessel systems with technologies aimed at improving energy efficiency.

Both developments remain at the approval and development stage. The announcements did not include commercial vessel orders or delivery schedules.

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