Ammonia-fuelled bulk carrier design gets ClassNK approval

While ammonia is a fuel that can possibly lead to decarbonisation of the shipping industry, it still poses safety concerns due to its traits of being toxic to humans and corrosive nature, says ClassNK.  

PHOTO: Model of GCS's ammonia-powered vessel design. ClassNK

Tokyo-based ship classification society, ClassNK issued an Approval of Principle (AiP) for the design of an ammonia-powered Panamax bulk carrier.

The vessel design was developed by the Planning and Design Center for Greener Ships (GSC) and was granted approval review after review of safety parameters and possible hazards.

In August last year, ClassNK published “Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels” which focuses on minimising hazardous risk related to ammonia-powered vessels. The classification society has urged the industry to develop international standards for the use of ammonia in ships.

GSC says its shipbuilders in Japan are likely to use the approved design when building ammonia-powered bulk carriers.