Japanese trio gets approval for ammonia-fuelled ammonia/LPG carrier

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Co. and Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Co. have received approval in principle (AiP) from ClassNK and Lloyd's Register for their ammonia-fuelled ocean-going liquefied gas carrier, they said on April 13.

The vessel is a mid-size ammonia/LPG carrier equipped with a main engine that can run on ammonia and uses some of the ammonia loaded as cargo as fuel.

There are currently no international regulations on the use of ammonia as a marine fuel. Therefore, the three companies conducted hazard identification studies (HAZID) with ClassNK and Lloyd's. “As a result of the risk assessment of using ammonia as marine fuel from multiple perspectives, both classification societies recognised the safety of the vessel's basic design,” the companies said.

The vessel is expected to be ready and delivered by 2026, the companies said.