Hyundai Heavy gets DNV GL nod for SkyBench concept

JUNE 11, 2015 — Korea’s Hyundai Heavy Industries reports that it recently received approval in principle (AIP) from DNV GL for its SkyBench design concept for maximizing cargo loading capacity of large containerships.

SkyBench is a mobile accommodation block that is mounted on rails and can move over the span of two 13 m-long container bays. The SkyBench allows for additional storage as it utilizes the void space beneath the sliding block.

The shipbuilder says that the safety of on-board crews is enhanced by the unit’s detachable design thanks to its buoyancy in the event the ship sinks.

A 19,000 TEU containership with SkyBench can extend its cargo loading capacity by 450 TEU — which adds up to $2.43 million of extra revenue if the ship operates 10 times per year on Europe-Asian route and charges $530 per TEU.

“As we have been doing over the past four decades, we will continue to provide quality ships that differentiate it from others in terms of quality, reliability and technological capabilities to our valued clients,” said Mr. Yoon Moon-kyoon, COO of Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Shipbuilding Division. “I believe that SkyBenchTM, like many other previous technological breakthroughs we have shown to the world, will surely bring benefits to our customers.”