MMMCZCS reveals prospects and challenges of developing an ammonia-fuelled container ship

The Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS) has unveiled the concept design of a 15,000-TEU ammonia-powered dual-fuel container vessel.

PHOTO: The concept design of a 15,000-TEU ammonia-powered container ship. Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping

The concept design was developed in collaboration with Finnish ship designer Foreship and classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). The vessel is part of the MMMCZCS-led SABRE project that intends to construct ammonia bunker vessels and the required infrastructure.

Prospects

MMMCZCS has identified several opportunities while developing the concept design, which include:

• Safety benefits of fully refrigerated ammonia storage
• Minimizing container slot loss and reducing the risk of tank penetrations by optimizing the location and volumes of ammonia storage tanks
• Ensuring safety by creating ample space for defined hazardous zones, separate areas for ammonia-related equipment and multiple entry/exit points

Hurdles and suggested fixes

MMMCZCS has highlighted several challenges as well. These include understanding the danger to crew onboard in case of ammonia leakage and release scenarios, ammonia-related greenhouse gas emissions risks, overlooking the development and safety design integration in auxiliary systems, and shifting focus from developing ammonia as a fuel to ammonia fuel consumption and other operational expenses.

The center suggests conducting gas dispersion analysis for multiple scenarios in ammonia-fuelled vessel designs. These analysis should help in improving the vessel design, monitoring, and evaluation of dual-fuel ammonia engines, to ascertain emission risks.

It also supports the development of auxiliary ammonia-related systems and enhancing the energy efficiency of ammonia-fuelled vessels. These measures aim to address potential safety risks, optimise performance, and promote the use of ammonia as a sustainable fuel in the shipping industry.

In July, MMMCZCS received ABS’ approval in principle for the ammonia-powered dual-fuel container ship design. The other partners in the project are shipping majors Seaspan Corporation, A.P. Moller–Maersk A/S, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), Japanese conglomerate Sumitomo Corporation and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

By Tuhin Roy

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