ABS issued an Approval in Principle (AIP) and a Basic Design Review (BDR) for a natural gas liquefaction system developed by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for the topside of a floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) unit. These certifications were presented at the Gastech 2026 exhibition.
Details of the Topside Facilities
The topside facilities include all the processing systems required for FLNG operations, including SENSE, which was developed by SHI and designed to cool natural gas to very low temperatures for storage and transportation. This functionality forms the core of FLNG units. SENSE had previously received AIP certification from ABS, and this new AIP and BDR confirmed that SHI's design development (FEED) is feasible for the intended application. The BDR included a more detailed technical review against ABS rules and requirements.
Implications of New Liquefaction Technologies
Matt Tremblay, Senior Vice President of Global Markets at ABS, stated: "The development of new liquefaction technologies is a significant step for the FLNG supply chain. ABS is proud to support SHI as this review serves as a foundation for moving this technology from concept to actual project execution."
Junho Min, Vice President of the Marine Engineering Team at Samsung Heavy Industries, also commented: "This ABS certification validates our proprietary SENSE liquefaction technology and our comprehensive engineering capabilities. This establishment provides a strong foundation for us to independently execute complete FLNG EPC projects."
As technologies continue to advance rapidly, ABS supports the safe and effective deployment of new systems in the rapidly growing FLNG sector. The organization has also signed an agreement with three Korean maritime organizations to advance the development of international standards for the next generation of ships and shipbuilding.
