K Line’s ammonia-fuelled bulk carrier gets ClassNK nod

Japanese shipping firm Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha’s (K Line) ammonia-fuelled newcastlemax bulk carrier design has been approved by classification society Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK).

PHOTO: Model of ammonia-fuelled bulk carrier. K Line

The 200,000 dwt ammonia-fuelled newcastlemax bulk carrier has been built by Nihon Shipyard and is scheduled to be delivered by 2026.

K Line considers the approval “an important milestone for the implementation of ammonia-fueled ships.”

The company collaborated with the Itochu Corporation, Nihon Shipyard, Mitsui E&S Machinery and NS United Kaiun Kaisha for the project.

Several other global shipping firms have taken an interest in ammonia and been exploring ways to consume and transport it as a clean fuel.

Among developments this month, Germany announced plans to build a green ammonia import terminal in Hamburg to process ammonia brought in from Saudi Arabia. And Japanese shipping companies Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) have collaborated with Tokyo-based power firm JERA to explore and develop large carriers to transport ammonia.

By Tuhin Roy

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