LR approves GTT NO96 criteria to cut LNG carrier weight
French containment specialist GTT has secured Lloyd’s Register approval for updated NO96 elongation criteria, a technical shift that promises lighter and more efficient LNG carrier designs.
Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) has received an Approval in Principle from Lloyd’s Register for revised elongation criteria governing its NO96 cargo containment system. The certification clears the way for shipyards to build liquefied natural gas carriers with more optimized hull structures.
The updated rules dictate how much an LNG carrier's hull is allowed to deform beneath the NO96 membrane and insulation. By formally recognizing these revised limits, LR is allowing naval architects to pursue more efficient structural optimization without risking regulatory compliance.
For vessel owners and charterers, the primary financial upside lies in the potential reduction of lightship weight. A lighter vessel improves fuel efficiency or increases cargo capacity, directly enhancing the operating margins of LNG transportation.
“This approval is about giving confidence at an early stage. Our review confirmed that GTT’s updated NO96 elongation criteria remain within established safety margins while allowing designers greater flexibility. This kind of technical validation is essential as vessel designs become more optimised and structurally demanding,” said Constantinos Chaelis, Global Gas Segment Director at Lloyd’s Register.
LR based its decision on detailed structural and hydrodynamic analysis of a representative LNG carrier. The classification society verified that operational, thermal and hull-induced loads would not compromise fatigue margins or membrane performance across different NO96 variants.
The French company views the update as a core part of its ongoing innovation program. “Lloyd’s Register’s Approval in Principle confirms the technical robustness of the latest NO96 developments. These enhanced design criteria provide greater flexibility for ship designers while preserving the highest standards of safety and membrane integrity,” said François Michel, CEO of GTT.
The NO96 system remains one of the most widely used containment technologies in the global LNG fleet. Extending its design flexibility also reinforces GTT's competitive position for complex, high-specification gas carriers where structural assurance is critical.
