Korean Register approves ammonia-fuel safety system

Hyundai companies have been awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) by the Korean Register for a safety system that will overcome safety and regulatory barriers to the uptake of ammonia fuel in shipping. Hi-CLEARS, which stands for Hyundai integrated Clear Liquid based Ammonia Release mitigation system with SCR, has been developed by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries and HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and the AiP was awarded at Gastech in Milan this week.

Hi-CLEARS captures any leaked ammonia, converts it into aqueous ammonia, and then uses it as a reductant in a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system. The system not only eliminates leakage but ensures that there is no discharge of the toxic chemical to atmosphere or sea.

The commercialisation of Hi-CLEARS has been made possible by an amendment to IACS Unified Requirement M77 which covers the application of SCR systems on ships. Ammonia and aqueous ammonia can now be used as reductants where previously they could not.

Executive vice president of KR, Lee Yongsok, commented: “This AIP goes beyond technical validation to advancing international standards. By contributing to revisions such as IACS Unified Requirement M77, KR is helping to create the regulatory foundations that make ammonia-fuelled ships a safe and viable reality.”