ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an ammonia fuelled gas carrier which has been jointly developed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd., and Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
Ammonia is expected to be used as a ship fuel for decarbonisation since it does not emit CO2 when combusted. Meanwhile, adequate safety measures are imperative as it has been pointed out that ammonia is toxic to humans and corrosive to materials.
ClassNK has been involved in projects aiming for zero-emission ships using ammonia fuel in terms of safety assessment and has issued its ‘Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels’ as a necessary standard to minimise the risks related to ammonia fuelled ships for the ships, crews, and environment by stipulating requirements for installation, controls, and safety devices.
The vessel uses some of its ammonia cargo as fuel and is targeting to achieve net zero CO2 emissions while underway. ClassNK reviewed the jointly developed design of the ammonia fuelled medium size gas carrier in line with Part C of its guidelines and examined the risk assessment through HAZID. Upon confirming it complies with the prescribed requirements, ClassNK issued the AiP.
Mr Ken Furuya, Executive Officer and General Manager of the Sales Dept at Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding said: ”We, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING and Mitsui E&S shipbuilding, would like to express our appreciation to ClassNK and Lloyd’s Register for the support and cooperation to this joint development project. This AiP is an important milestone for us. We will continue to make an effort to complete this project successfully. Anticipating an increase in the need for ammonia as a marine fuel and greater demand for transporting it, the three companies are committed to playing a role in society’s overall decarbonization efforts by providing clean ocean transport solutions with the zero-emission ocean-going vessels.”
Mr Masaki Matsunaga, Corporate Officer, Director of Plan Approval and Technical Solution Division, ClassNK added: “ClassNK is honoured to have had the opportunity to be involved as a certification body in this concrete effort toward decarbonization through close collaboration among MOL, TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING, and Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding, and has issued the AiP as a milestone. For the project’s target to achieve net zero CO2 emissions while underway, we will continue to provide necessary support through its technical expertise.”
