Bureau Veritas has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) to Viridis Bulk Carriers, supporting a new standard for zero carbon short sea bulk logistics by utilizing ammonia as fuel.
The approval is an important step towards being able to order the first series of vessels. Viridis Bulk Carriers expect to place orders for ships during 2023, with deliveries starting in 2025.
“Bureau Veritas class approval in principle helps provide the confidence needed to support this ammonia as fuel project and we warmly welcome the initiative and ambition from Viridis Bulk Carriers,” says Herman Spilker, Vice President at Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, North Europe Zone.
The Viridis vessels have been designed with the customer in focus and close collaboration with client partners and key suppliers. The company has collaborated with the eight charterers in the ‘Flexbulk NH3 Ammonia Power’ consortium project to ensure that cargo capacities and operational capabilities are just as future-proof as the power technology and emissions reductions. The vessel design is by Kongsberg Maritime.
Viridis Bulk Carriers is also a consortium member of ‘Ammonia Fuel Bunkering Networ’”, which will build a bunkering network in Scandinavia in collaboration with Yara, which has pre-ordered an additional 15 bunkering terminals for the Scandinavian market. This ensures delivery security for ammonia fuel to the Viridis Bulk Carriers fleet.
“We are very pleased with the co-operation we have had with Bureau Veritas through the approval process.,” says Espen Nordstrøm at Viridis Bulk Carriers. “The approval in principle from Bureau Veritas is a major milestone for Viridis and will enable us to move towards the newbuilding phase.
“With EU and IMO increasing their emission reduction targets, the Viridis vessels will comply with these and be able to provide charterers with superior greenhouse gas reductions in their logistical value chain.”
