14 April 2023 – ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an ammonia fuelled gas carrier which has been jointly developed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING Co., Ltd., and Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
Ammonia is expected to be used as a ship fuel for decarbonization since it does not emit CO2 when combusted. Meanwhile, adequate safety measures are imperative as it has been pointed out that ammonia is toxic to humans and corrosive to materials. ClassNK has been involved in projects aiming for zero-emission ships using ammonia fuel in terms of safety assessment, and has issued its “Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels” as a necessary standard to minimize the risks related to ammonia fuelled ships for the ships, crews, and environment by stipulating requirements for installation, controls, and safety devices.
The vessel uses some of its ammonia cargo as fuel, and is targeting to achieve net zero CO2 emissions while underway. ClassNK carried out the review on jointly developed design of the ammonia fuelled medium size gas carrier in line with Part C of its guidelines, and examing the risk assessment through HAZID. Upon cofirming it complies with the prescribed requirements, ClassNK issued the AiP.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ken Furuya, Executive Officer, General Manager of Sales Dept., Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding said, ”We, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, TSUNEISHI SHIPBUILDING and Mitsui E&S shipbuilding, would like to express our appreciation to ClassNK and Lloyd’s Register for the support and cooperation to this joint development project. This AiP is an important mile stone for us. We will continue to make an effort to complete this project successfully. Anticipating an increase in the need for ammonia as a marine fuel and greater demand for transporting it, the three companies are committed to playing a role in society’s overall decarbonization efforts by providing clean ocean transport solutions with the zero emission ocean-going vessels”
From left:
Mr. Isao Watanabe, General Manager, Carbon Power Solutions Unit, Integrated Wind & Carbon Power Solutions, Headquarters of Energy Business, MOL
Mr. Masaki Matsunaga, Corporate Officer, Director of Plan Approval and Technical Solution Division, ClassNK
Mr. Yoshihiko Sugimoto, General Manager, Technical Division, Technology Innovation Unit, MOL
Mr. Ken Furuya, Executive Officer, General Manager of Sales Dept., Mitsui E&S Shipbuidling
Mr. Keiichiro Sho, General Manager, Ship Sales Dept., TSUNEISHI SHIPBUIDLING
Mr. Masaki Matsunaga, Corporate Officer, Director of Plan Approval and Technical Solution Division, ClassNK said, “ClassNK is honored to have had the opportunity to be involved as a certification body in this concrete effort toward decarbonization through close collaboration among MOL, TSUNEISHI SHIPBUIDLING, and Mitsui E&S Shipbuilding, and has issued the AiP as a milestone. For the project’s target to achieve net zero CO2 emissions while underway, we will continue to provide necessary support through its technical expertise.”
[Outline of the vessel]
LOA: About 180m
Breadth: About 30m
Depth: About 19m
Cargo tank capacity: About 40,000m3
Main engine: MITSUI-MAN B&W type S60 two-stroke dual-fuel ammonia engine (under development)
Approval in Principle (AiP):
At the initial stage of designing or before the specific target ship to be implemented is decided, the design is examined based on the existing regulations such as international conventions and ship classification rules, and an Approval in Principle (AiP) is issued as proof of conformity with requirements. It also prevents rework of regulatory aspects in the post-process, shortens the examination time at the time of class registration, and can be used as a technical basis for external appeal of the design status.
