ABS has issued an Approval in Principle to Samsung Heavy Industries and Conrad Shipyard for a 12,000-cubic-meter LNG bunkering articulated tug-barge intended for U.S. construction. This milestone represents a key initiative under the Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center, leveraging advanced containment engineering and ABS’s extensive classification expertise to expand domestic alternative fuel infrastructure.
Washington, D.C. | July 28, 2026 – The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) to South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and U.S.-based Conrad Shipyard for the basic design of a 12,000-cubic-meter liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering articulated tug-barge (ATB).
The milestone marks one of the premier cooperative achievements emerging from the newly established Korea-U.S. Shipbuilding Partnership Center (KUSPC) in Washington, D.C., a bilateral initiative designed to foster industrial and technological alignment between the two nations’ maritime sectors.
Bridging Global Engineering and U.S. Shipyards
The AiP follows a strategic memorandum of understanding signed between SHI and Conrad Shipyard to jointly target the burgeoning U.S. alternative fuel supply chain. Under the cooperative framework, the partners combined SHI’s advanced, proprietary gas-containment and LNG bunkering engineering experience with Conrad Shipyard‘s extensive domestic construction expertise.
ABS completed comprehensive design reviews verifying that the 12,000-cbm ATB concept complies fully with rigorous class rules and statutory requirements. An articulated tug-barge utilizes a hinged coupling system, allowing the tug and barge to operate seamlessly as a single ocean-going unit while retaining the operational flexibility of separate vessels.
“LNG bunkering infrastructure has an important role to play in the evolving energy landscape, and this project is a step toward expanding that capacity in the U.S.,” said Joshua Divin, ABS Senior Vice President, Marine Business Development. “ABS has deep experience supporting LNG bunkering projects and is pleased to bring that to this project with SHI and Conrad Shipyard.”
Strengthening the U.S. Alternative Fuel Backbone
As deep-sea and regional shipping fleets increasingly turn to LNG to comply with tightening international and regional emissions regulations, North American ports face a critical shortage of robust physical bunkering infrastructure. The introduction of a high-capacity, 12,000-cbm U.S.-built LNG bunkering asset addresses this bottleneck head-on, providing shipowners with reliable, ship-to-ship refueling options across domestic waters.
Executives from both manufacturing partners highlighted the broader significance of the bilateral project for American shipbuilding capacity and workforce readiness:
Sung An Choi, Vice Chairman and CEO of Samsung Heavy Industries, noted: “We are pleased to participate in this U.S. LNG bunkering project by leveraging Samsung Heavy Industries’ extensive LNG bunkering technologies and experience. We will continue to work closely with Conrad Shipyard to ensure the successful completion of the project.”
Cecil Hernandez, President and CEO of Conrad Shipyard, added: “By collaborating with global technology leaders while building capability here in the United States, we continue to strengthen American shipbuilding and advance practical solutions for the evolving needs of the maritime industry.”
The formal certificate presentation drew high-level international representation, underlined by the presence of U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Republic of Korea Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-Kwan, alongside leadership from ABS, SHI, and Conrad Shipyard.
About the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)
The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) is a leading international classification society dedicated to promoting the security of life, property, and the natural environment through the development and verification of standards for the design, construction, and operational maintenance of marine and offshore assets. Founded in 1862 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, ABS supports the global maritime industry with cutting-edge technical services, regulatory compliance guidance, and innovative solutions that drive sustainability, safety, and performance.
With a strong presence in over 70 countries, ABS works closely with shipowners, operators, shipyards, equipment manufacturers, and regulators to deliver practical insights into evolving technologies and environmental standards. As a trusted advisor, ABS plays a pivotal role in enabling the transition to low- and zero-emission shipping through research, classification, and advisory services on alternative fuels, digitalization, and decarbonization pathways.
Source: American Bureau of Shipping