Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has awarded an approval in principle (AiP) to Ningbo Kairong New Energy (Kairong) and Sweden-based MannTek for their jointly developed ship-to-ship LNG bunkering crane master system, unveiled at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok.

The AiP was awarded on the same day that Kairong and MannTek signed a joint development cooperation agreement and unveiled the crane master system. Designed for ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operations, the crane master is described by the developers as a multifunctional integrated bunkering and hoisting system that combines crane handling capabilities with LNG transfer functions within a single unit.

According to BV, the design aims to address operational challenges associated with LNG bunkering in busy port environments by integrating bunkering and lifting operations while maintaining safety and operational efficiency.

As part of the approval process, BV says it conducted a technical review of the design in accordance with applicable classification requirements. The assessment covered LNG bunkering system safety principles, low-temperature leakage protection, emergency shutdown and release arrangements, and spare parts hoisting operations. The AiP confirms that the concept complies in principle with the relevant classification requirements, providing a foundation for further development and implementation.

Jeffrey Guo, Marine & Offshore Asia Pacific senior vice president at Bureau Veritas, commented: "Safe and efficient bunkering infrastructure is essential to supporting the growing adoption of LNG as a marine fuel. We are pleased to award approval in principle to Kairong and MannTek's LNG bunkering crane master system, which brings together multiple bunkering functions within an integrated solution. This certification reflects the potential of the design and supports its continued development toward future applications in LNG bunkering operations."