Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd and Royal New Zealand Navy value Lloyd's Register's safety and environment expertise to support their safety case preparation for the new MSC project in Korea

Lloyd's Register (LR), the leading provider of engineering and technology-centric professional services, is working with Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd (HHI) on the preparation of the safety case for the Royal New Zealand Navy's (RNZN) maritime sustainment capability (MSC) project, which is taking place in Ulsan, Korea.

T.H. Kim, Safety and Environmental Manager of this project at HHI, says: "We chose LR because of their competency in naval regulation and classification. We were also impressed in the way their teams can support the critical safety case requirements for the size of this project and the environment assessments that are needed to make this project a success."

The depth of the expertise being provided by LR will help to drive an increased focus on safety and environmental best practices throughout the project to ensure any potential risks are acknowledged, prevented or controlled. A series of HAZID and environment impact identification and safety optimisation workshops are taking place.

"We are delighted to be working with HHI on this project for the RNZN," says Dong-Hoon Han, Risk Service Manager for LR in Korea. "Winning this contract is evidence of our skillset in managing risk for our customers, and the confidence we bring to industry seeking a level of independent assurance that help companies successfully achieve higher standards of integrity throughout their operations and in their projects."

Han highlights: "Our expertise and knowledge in Classification will add further value to the service we provide to HHI, and our experts in Korea and the UK will be providing advice from the preliminary design stages to help HHI identify and manage hazards relevant to the MSC design and operation."

The MSC project is aimed at replacing the Royal New Zealand Navy's (RNZN) ageing HMNZS Endeavour tanker.

The new vessel is intended to strengthen NZDF's maritime replenishment capability at sea by supporting the nation's naval combat force and its partner countries' ships. The tanker is also suitable for a number of missions including logistics support, maritime sustainment, humanitarian aid, and disaster relief.

HHI was selected by the Government of New Zealand for the design and construction of the vessel in a prime contract. The project with LR commenced in April 2017.

Designed to Polar Class 6 standard, New Zealand's future fleet replenishment tanker can operate in Antarctic waters. The vessel will have an overall length of 173m, a beam of 24.5m and a draught of 8.2m. With a displacement of 25,271t, it will accommodate up to 98 personnel including 64 core crew members, 14 trainees, 11 flight crew, eight mission teams, and one VIP.