LR nod for Hyundai Mipo’s ammonia bunkering vessel
Classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR) has approved South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Mipo Dockyard’s (HMD) ammonia bunkering vessel at Gastech 2023 in Singapore.
PHOTO: Company representatives at a deal signing ceremony at Gastech 2023. LR
The 10,000 cbm ammonia bunkering vessel incorporates “two cylindrical type ‘C’ tanks, a reliquefication plant, a sophisticated loading arm with easy manoeuvrability for safe operations.”
The vessel is available in “both single and twin-screw variants with different propeller options for operators,” LR says. This allows operators to select the propulsion system that best suits their specific requirements. In a single-screw configuration, the vessel is equipped with a single propeller connected to the engine. In a twin-screw configuration, on the other hand, the vessel is equipped with two propellers, which improves its maneuverability.
“Ammonia bunkering is widely anticipated to become a significant part of the maritime energy transition during the mid to late part of the decade and the development of vessels with the capability to refuel ammonia ships will be crucial to ensuring its uptake across the board by ship owners and operators,” LR adds.
“We are at the start of the Ammonia bunkering era, and it is vital that we continue to see the industry develop technical solutions to support commercial and regulatory requirements,” LR’s chief commercial officer Andy McKeran says.
LR is also currently conducting feasibility studies “into using clean ammonia to refuel ships at the world-scale ports in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.”
Ammonia demand is growing
Ammonia has increasingly been put forward as one of the most likely marine fuels with zero emission potential, with several shipowners and ports taking steps to adopt ammonia, and engine makers committing to develop ammonia-fuelled engines.
This month, Swiss marine engine maker WinGD and South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) agreed to cooperate on installing WinGD’s ammonia-fuelled engines on SHI’s forthcoming vessels.
Apart from WinGD, German MAN Energy Solutions (MAN ES), Finnish Wärtsilä and Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) are also working to develop ammonia-fuelled engines.
Meanwhile, the Port of Singapore is gearing up to start ammonia bunkering in 2026. For this to happen, ammonia-fuelled vessels will have to enter the global fleet, and safety standards for ammonia bunkering will have to be finalised, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
By Tuhin Roy
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