GTT’s New NO96 Elongation Criteria Validated Through Bureau Veritas AiP
Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for new elongation criteria developed by GTT and applicable to LNG carrier hulls fitted with NO96 cargo containment systems.
The AiP indicates that GTT’s proposed update to the design criteria governing allowable elongation and deformation of the hull supporting the NO96 membrane and insulation system under operational, thermal, and hull-induced loads is in accordance with applicable classification rules and international regulations.
The NO96 cargo containment system is a widely deployed LNG membrane technology that plays a critical role in protecting the vessel’s structure and hull from cryogenic cargo. As part of its ongoing innovation program, GTT has developed updated elongation criteria intended to provide greater flexibility in LNG carrier structural design, while maintaining validated stress limits, fatigue margins, and membrane integrity requirements. This modification is expected to contribute to a more optimized lightship weight for LNG carrier designs equipped with NO96 technology.
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Following an independent review by BV, including hydrodynamic and structural analyses, the updated elongation criteria were confirmed to be consistent with applicable industry requirements. Based on a representative LNG carrier design, the assessment considered containment system structural behavior, compatibility across NO96 variants, and alignment with relevant load cases and hull geometries. The review confirmed that the criteria can be applied confidently, helping ensure full compliance with safety and regulatory standards while enabling more efficient and optimized LNG carrier designs.
François Michel, CEO at GTT, said: “The Approval in Principle issued by Bureau Veritas confirms GTT’s commitment to the continuous improvement of its best-in-class membrane containment systems, providing greater design flexibility for LNG carriers.”
