MOL's design for ammonia-fuelled vessel gets AiB approval

Japanese shipping firm MOL, Itochu Corporation and Sembcorp Marine have received approval in principle (AiP) for the conceptual design of an ammonia bunkering vessel from classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), MOL said on January 11.

The project is part of the joint development study of the marine ammonia fuel supply chain in Singapore. The vessel was jointly designed by MOL and Itochu and a risk assessment was one before the approval of AiP. The vessel’s design incorporates extensive safety measures in consideration of ammonia’s toxicity.

MOL said that ammonia-fired engines are being developed by domestic and overseas manufacturers, and it is expected that the first ammonia-fuelled ships will be completed as early as the latter half of the 2020s.