ABS awards AiP for ammonia fuel systems to be tested on a tug

Classification society ABS has issued two Approvals in Principle (AiP) to Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry Co Ltd and Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry Technology Co Ltd for their ammonia-fuelled vessel and the related fuel supply system. The fuel systems are being tested on a 36m-long tug with a four-stroke dual-fuel engine and a bollard pull of 60 tonnes.

Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry general manager, Ji-Jiang Jiang, said: “This is the first comprehensive technology research project in China focusing on ammonia burning, ammonia-diesel, dual-fuel engine, ammonia fuel supply system, exhaust gas treatment, and onboard application demonstration, which is of great significance and has far-reaching impact. In the future, we will continue to pioneer innovation, with the development of green, low-carbon and smart shipping.”

ABS vice president, Global Sustainability, Georgios Plevrakis, noted that ammonia offer shipowners and operators a zero-carbon, tank-to-wake emissions profile. “Yet we also recognise that ammonia presents a specific set of safety and technology challenges, and ABS is committed to leading the industry in supporting its safe adoption at sea.”