ABS releases industry first advisory on ammonia bunkering

Classification society ABS on Wednesday (24 July) released guidance focused on ammonia bunkering, the first such advisory for the industry.

The ABS Ammonia Bunkering: Technical and Operational Advisory considered the aspects of bunkering ammonia as a fuel, providing the maritime industry with a better understanding of the challenges involved and how best to address them.

The publication also provided guidance on addressing the technical and operational challenges for both the delivering ship (or land-side sources) and the receiving ship involved in bunkering operations, including critical design issues, regulatory compliance, risk assessments, safe practices and emergency procedures.

Due to its greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential, ammonia is widely considered a leading alternative fuel candidate. 

“However, given its toxicity, safe bunkering capabilities, whether by truck, ship or land storage terminal, will be critical to enabling its adoption by the industry,” ABS said. 

John McDonald, ABS President and COO, said: “ABS has been leading the development of ammonia as a marine fuel and this advisory is the next step in this process.”

“We have built up extensive insight into the application of ammonia at sea, which we are now sharing with the industry.”

“The advisory supports owners, operators, designers, shipyards, ammonia suppliers including terminals and port authorities with comprehensive guidance on the latest thinking around ammonia bunkering, which presents a specific set of new challenges for the industry.”

The advisory covers ammonia bunkering design, operations, risk assessment and dispersion analysis, safety procedures and training.

Note: ABS Ammonia Bunkering: Technical and Operational Advisory can be found here.

Photo credit: ABS
Published: 29 July, 2024