Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore has issued Approval in Principle (AiP) certificates to SeaTech Solutions International (S) Pte Ltd for two tanker designs intended for Australian coastal operations and lower-carbon fuel transport.

The approvals cover an oil tanker and an oil/chemical tanker aimed for multi-product operations, including the future carriage of methanol and B100 biofuel.

Both designs have an overall length of 80.0 metres, a breadth of 15.0 metres, a depth of 6.9 metres and a summer draft of 4.2 metres. They are designed for a cruising speed of 8.5 knots and a maximum speed of 10 knots.

Bureau Veritas reviewed the plans and found them aligned, at the concept stage, with applicable classification rules and regulatory requirements.

For the oil tanker, Bureau Veritas assessed the design against applicable rules, SOLAS and MARPOL requirements. For the oil and chemical carrier, the IBC Code was also considered.

Prabjot Singh Chopra, vice president (technology) at SeaTech Solutions International, said: “The maritime industry is undergoing a fundamental shift in fuel and cargo requirements, and these designs reflect the need for safe, efficient and adaptable shipping solutions. At SeaTech Solutions International, we have prioritised flexibility to support the transport of both conventional cargoes and emerging fuels such as methanol and biofuels.”

Drago Pinteric, vice president for Marine & Offshore Southeast Asia at Bureau Veritas, noted: “These tanker designs highlight the importance of safe, efficient and adaptable shipping solutions capable of supporting changing energy flows and the transport of new products such as biofuels and methanol. We are pleased to support SeaTech Solutions International in advancing these forward-looking designs.”

The approvals mark a step towards flexible coastal tonnage capable of carrying both conventional petroleum cargoes and emerging fuels such as methanol and B100 biofuel.