In yet another milestone for carbon-neutral shipping, Lloyd’s Register (LR) has awarded an approval in principle (AiP) to Exmar for its ammonia-fuelled 40,000-m3 midsize gas carrier
LR says Chinese shipbuilder Jiangnan Shipyard was responsible for the ship design while Wärtsilä Gas Solutions provided all input for the ammonia fuel gas supply system.
The novel technology evaluation included an overall examination of fundamental aspects of the design and compliance with LR’s Rules and Regulations for the Classification of Ships and for the Carriage of Liquefied Gases in Bulk (for Gas Ships), incorporating the International Code of the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code).
Crew safety was a primary consideration in the evaluation. A risk assessment was conducted based on Exmar’s experience in operating ammonia carriers, to ensure that risks arising from the use of ammonia fuel affecting persons on board, the structural strength or the integrity of the ship are addressed in accordance with LR’s ShipRight Procedure for Risk-Based Designs. This included a Hazard Identification study which led to the AiP.
LR global head of engineering systems Ed Fort called the AiP “a significant milestone in progressing alternative fuels for shipping’s transition to zero carbon, proving the possibility of the use of ammonia as a fuel and how adaptable the fuel is to gas carriers, especially if carrying ammonia as cargo.”
Exmar executive director of shipping Jens Ismar concurred, adding, “Exmar continues its steps towards further innovation and decarbonisation by demonstrating the possibility of using ammonia as fuel on board gas carriers. This follows Exmar’s initiative of introducing LPG as a fuel in 2012 which is being implemented on our world’s first order of two dual-fuel VLGCs currently under construction.”
Commenting on his company’s role, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions director of sales and marketing Kjell Ove Ulstein said, “During the AiP process, we have provided the details for the ammonia fuel system developed by WGS and also jointly conducted required studies for evaluating the readiness of the systems. We are proud to have played our part in having the AiP granted from Lloyd’s Register.”
Jiangnan Shipyard chief of corporate technology Hu Keyi said “We believe this project of an ammonia-fuelled medium gas carrier is not only a low CO2 emission ship, but it will be also a significant landmark on the roadmap of IMO 2050.”
LR is part of a joint development project called the Castor Initiative to develop an ammonia-fuelled tanker design. It provided an AiP for an ammonia-fuelled tanker design to South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries in September.
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