Wedoany.com Report-May 8, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), based in South Korea, has secured approvals in principle (AiP) for its multi-purpose LNG floater-offshore (MLF-O) standard model from three classification societies: DNV (Norway), Lloyd’s Register (UK), and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). The certifications were awarded during the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, held in early May 2025.
Rendering of a standard model of a deepwater floating LNG facility
The MLF-O, designed for deepwater floating LNG production, enhances SHI’s portfolio of floating LNG (FLNG) solutions, emphasizing reduced delivery times and cost efficiency. The model is optimized for deepwater environments with wave heights of nine meters or more, distinguishing it from SHI’s earlier MLF-N model, which targets nearshore areas with wave heights of two meters or less.
To address sloshing—a phenomenon where liquid LNG shifts within tanks—the MLF-O features a cargo hold arranged in two rows to minimize internal impact. The standardized design allows for a cargo hold capacity ranging from 180,000 to 220,000 cubic meters, offering advantages over onshore plants in terms of faster delivery and cost-effectiveness.
Hae-Ki Jang, Vice President and Head of Technology Development at SHI, stated: “MLF-O is an innovative solution that minimizes operating costs and innovatively reduces delivery times to meet the needs of our customers.” He emphasized SHI’s commitment to maintaining its leadership in the FLNG market.
The MLF-O is SHI’s second standardized FLNG model, following the MLF-N introduced in 2023. With these certifications, SHI has completed its lineup of LNG production facilities tailored for both nearshore and deepwater applications. The company aims to leverage the MLF-O and MLF-N to secure contracts for international gas field development projects.
In related developments, SHI recently marked progress in April 2025 with the hull launching ceremony for PFLNG Tiga, an FLNG facility under construction for Malaysia’s Petronas. Measuring 281 meters in length, 64 meters in width, and 32 meters in depth, the project underscores SHI’s active role in advancing FLNG technology.
