Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world’s largest shipbuilder, announced today it recently received approval in principle (AIP) from DNV GL for SkyBench^TM (internationally patented and trademarked), an innovative design concept for maximizing cargo loading capacity of large containerships.

SkyBench^TM is a mobile accommodation block that is mounted on rails and can move over the span of two 13m-long container bays. The SkyBench^TM allows for additional storage as it utilizes the void space beneath the sliding block. Moreover, the safety of on-board crews is enhanced by the detachable design thanks to the buoyancy in case the ship sinks.

The 19,000 TEU containership with SkyBench^TM can extend its cargo loading capacity by 450 TEU and is expected to secure an additional 2.7 billion Korean won ($2.43 million) worth of shipping rate per year on the assumption that the containership operates 10 times per year on Europe-Asian route and charges $530 per TEU.

Mr. Yoon Moon-kyoon, COO of Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Shipbuilding Division said, “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. I believe that SkyBench^TM, like many other previous technological breakthroughs we have shown to the world, will surely bring benefits to our customers.”