[Yonhap/ May 7, 2025] At the Ocean Technology Conference (OTC) 2025 in Houston, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) announced it has received Approval in Principle (AiP) for its new floating LNG production model, the MLF-O(Multi-purpose LNG Floor - Ocean), from three major global classification societies: DNV, Lloyd’s Register (LR), and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).

The MLF-O is the company’s second standardized Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) model, following the introduction of the MLF-N (Nearshore) in 2023.

While the MLF-N is engineered for coastal regions with shallow waters less than 2 meters deep, the MLF-O is specifically designed for deep-sea operations in areas exceeding 9 meters in depth.

A key feature of the MLF-O is its two-row cargo hold structure, which helps mitigate the internal sloshing effect — a common challenge in transporting LNG in liquid form due to wave-like fluctuations. This design enhances the stability and safety of LNG storage and production in harsh offshore environments.

With this certification, SHI now offers a complete lineup of standardized LNG production platforms optimized for both nearshore and deep-sea applications. The standardized MLF models promise significant advantages in terms of faster delivery timelines and improved economic efficiency when compared to traditional land-based LNG facilities.