British class society Lloyd’s Register has handed approval in principle (AiP) to French gas containment specialist GTT for its new CUBIQ LNG fuel containment system, a cubic tank design aimed at widening the use of membrane tanks in LNG-fuelled vessels. The approval clears an early regulatory hurdle and could open the door for broader adoption of membrane-type LNG fuel tanks beyond gas carriers, particularly in container ships and cruise vessels. GTT’s CUBIQ design takes a different approach to LNG containment. Its near-cubic shape removes the traditional upper and lower chamber arrangement found in many membrane systems. The simplified geometry is intended to standardise engineering, ease yard construction and cut installation time by reducing complex corner areas. The design also aims to improve volumetric efficiency. By making better use of available space, the system can free up room onboard for additional cargo, a key consideration for commercial operators. As part of the approval, Lloyd’s Register verified that the tank can operate at a design pressure of 1 barg. This feature is seen as important for compliance with cold ironing regulations, as pressure build-up capability in membrane tanks is becoming a growing focus for LNG-fuelled newbuildings. GTT is also assessing similar pressure build-up capability for its Mark III technology in conventional LNG fuel applications. LR said its role was to ensure the concept meets class rule requirements at an early stage and that appropriate risk assessments are in place covering construction and operation. Constantinos Chaelis, LR’s global gas segment director, said novel containment systems must be tested against robust standards as LNG use expands beyond gas carriers. “This approval in principle supports the safe development of an innovative containment system that can be applied across a wider range of ship types,” he said. GTT chief executive François Michel said the AiP confirms the robustness of the CUBIQ design and addresses shipyard and owner demand for simpler integration of membrane LNG tanks while optimising space onboard. The approval was presented during last week’s LNG2026 conference in Doha. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1_95_0_1_2'); }); TagsFrance United Kingdom