AiP for ammonia-powered carrier

ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for a large ammonia carrier to be powered by an ammonia-fuelled engine. The ship’s design has been developed jointly by Japanese companies Mitsui O.S.K., Namura Shipbuilding Co Ltd, and Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co Ltd.

The AiP comes as ammonia is gaining ground as a carbon-free marine fuel of the future. The ship will have larger cargo tanks than very large gas carriers (VLGC) and very large ammonia carriers, ClassNK revealed. The design also meets restrictions on entry into major power plants in Japan while also complying with the specifications required for VLGCs during loading and unloading of ammonia at power plants and terminals.

Prior to issuing the AiP, ClassNK had reviewed the design concept of the vessel based on ‘Part C Guidelines for Ships Using Ammonia as Fuel (Edition 3.0.2)’ of the ‘Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels’ as well as the IGC Code, and had also examined the risk assessment through HAZID, focusing on the safety of ammonia toxicity.