Ammonia dual-fuel systems approved for Trafigura gas carrier newbuilds

A joint development project for the design of ammonia dual-fuel systems on a set of newbuild medium gas carriers (MGCs) for LNG and commodity trader Trafigura has received sign-off from class.  

Trafigura signed a contract with HD Hyundai Mipo (HMD) in 2024 to build four 45,000-m³ MGCs, powered by WinGD ammonia dual-fuel engines and Alfa Laval’s ammonia release mitigation system. The vessels are designed to transport both liquefied petroleum gas and ammonia.  

UK-based class society Lloyds Register (LR) completed a design evaluation and safety assessment to approve the designs in line with its own rules and international regulations.

"Implementing ammonia dual-fuel systems on these vessels marks a significant step towards expanding the use of low-carbon fuels beyond specialised vessels to more diverse ship types. Trafigura is one of the first operators to use this technology on MGCs commercially," the class society said.  

The vessels will be built at HMD’s shipyard in Ulsan, South Korea, with deliveries expected to be completed during 2028.  

"EU regulations have been crucial in allowing us to execute this order," said Trafigura global head of shipping Andrea Olivi. "If we are to decarbonise freight and increase the demand for zero-carbon fuels across the world, we need IMO to implement regulations including EU ETS and Fuel EU maritime on a global scale. IMO needs to introduce a simple and transparent policy framework including, in our view, a global fuel standard combined with a straightforward levy applied equally across the board."  

Trafigura said the joint development project studying the performance of ammonia as a shipping fuel started in December 2024 and will continue until the new vessels are delivered.

The project brings together expertise from multiple organisations, including LR, Trafigura Maritime Logistics, HD Hyundai Mipo, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ Engine & Machinery Division, WinGD Ltd, Liquid Gas Equipment Ltd (Babcock LGE), Alfa Laval Corporate AB, and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.