NYK and partners achieve AiP from ClassNK for ammonia-fuelled ammonia bunkering vessel
A groundbreaking step in the advancement of sustainable maritime energy has been achieved with the issuance of an Approval-in-Principle (AiP) certificate for an ammonia-fuelled ammonia bunkering vessel designed through the collaboration of Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and its partners. Seatrium, through its wholly owned subsidiary, LMG Marin AS (LMG Marin) provided critical engineering expertise for the vessel’s design, which will now be submitted to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) for evaluation.
Through this latest initiative, the consortium aims to address the industry’s urgent need to decarbonise and create a viable value chain for ammonia as a marine fuel. This collaborative effort underscores their collective commitment to fostering a greener, more sustainable maritime industry.
The AiP certification validates the ammonia fuelled ammonia bunkering vessel design’s compliance with stringent safety, technical, and environmental standards, solidifying the consortium’s leadership in the development of alternative fuels for maritime use. By enhancing the feasibility of ammonia as a future fuel, this project positions the consortium at the forefront of the maritime energy transition.
Seatrium’s technology company, LMG Marin, supported the consortium’s initiative with its vast technical capabilities and proven track record in designing complex maritime systems. LMG Marin provided cutting-edge design capabilities, leading to a Hazard Identification Study (HAZID) for design validation. The comprehensive HAZID conducted was instrumental in fulfilling the requirements of the AiP to ensure optimal safety, performance, and operational reliability. Through this concept design phase, safety philosophies on the safe use of ammonia for the ammonia fuelled engines in the engine room were developed to ensure compliance with the International Maritime Organisation’s interim guidelines for the safety of ships using ammonia as fuel, approved by the Maritime Safety Committee 109 in December 2024.
Also, the vessel design incorporates the consortium’s two key features to ensure safety and operational reliability: ammonia fuel dual-fuel engines from IHI Power Systems and a bunkering boom by TB Global Technologies. The engines significantly reduce GHG emissions using ammonia as a fuel. They are also installed on the world’s first commercial-use ammonia-fuelled tugboat, Sakigake, delivered in August 2024. The bunkering boom features a unique technology called the High Speed Ammonia Purging Emergency Release System (ERS), which enables a reliable and efficient disconnection between vessels in an emergency.
This ammonia-fuelled bunker vessel is designed for use in Singapore and showcasing Singapore’s role as an innovation hub in sustainable maritime solutions. This vessel, if brought to fruition, will be the first bunkering vessel of its kind. It will contribute significantly to Singapore’s marine decarbonisation efforts, creating a positive ripple effect across the global maritime industry. The design is an essential contribution to developing the infrastructure needed for ammonia bunkering, a crucial component in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in global shipping.