Alternative Fuels

Azane Fuel Solutions receives DNV AiP for ammonia bunkering and loading station

AiP is important in further verifying readiness for commercialisation of Azane’s proprietary ammonia bunkering terminals prior to commencing construction.

Published

3 years ago

August 24, 2022

Admin

Ammonia bunkering solution provider Azane Fuel Solutions (Azane) on Tuesday (23 August) said it was awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) for its ammonia bunkering and loading station.

The approval from DNV is a major milestone in establishing the safety protocol for the bunkering of ammonia, enabling the uptake of ammonia as fuel to decarbonise the maritime industry, said Azane.

“Together with Yara International, we are moving as fast as we can to realise carbon free shipping with ammonia fuel,” shared André Risholm, Chairman of Azane Fuel Solutions.

DNV Approval in Principle (AIP) for NH3 terminal ship bunkering & loading station

Azane said it addresses barriers for ship owners and cargo owners to decarbonise by providing bunkering solutions for the clean ammonia value chain.

“The AiP is an important step in further verifying readiness for the commercialisation of Azane’s proprietary ammonia bunkering terminals prior to commencing construction,” it said.

“DNV’s AIP is an independent assessment of a concept within an agreed requirement framework, confirming the feasibility and soundness of a design with no obstacles that would prevent the concept from being realised.”

Providing a technical solution and infrastructure to implement ammonia as fuel

Azane sought third party approval to verify the safety of the floating bunkering solution, demonstrating the robustness of the system for commercial deployment.

The approval enables Azane Fuel Solutions to strengthen its position as the leading provider of safe, turnkey bunkering terminal for the maritime industry. Additionally, this approval fits within the larger strategy for the company of forging a new safety protocol for ammonia bunkering in Northern Europe, with plans to expand safe ammonia bunkering globally.

Ammonia bunkering terminals with commercial readiness

Last year the Azane Shareholders, Amon Maritime and ECONNECT Energy, received support from Norway’s Green Initiative program for the Ammonia Fuel Bunkering Network, along with consortium partners. In April-2022 the company announced that Yara had pre-ordered up-to 15 units to sufficiently cover the Scandinavian market with needed ammonia bunkering infrastructure.

“Safe and efficient bunkering infrastructure is necessary to decarbonise the shipping industry with clean ammonia fuel. We are pleased to note that our partners in Azane Fuel Solutions have now received the approval-in-principle for ammonia bunkering terminals, moving one step closer to construction start,” stated President of Yara Clean Ammonia, Magnus Ankarstrand.

Following the approval from DNV, Azane and Yara will initiate an approval process with DSB (Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection) to establish several bunkering locations in Norway and Scandinavia.

“Together with Yara, we are moving as fast as we can to realise carbon free shipping with ammonia fuel,” says Chairman of Azane Fuel Solutions, André Risholm.

The first 1,000 m3 bunkering terminal is scheduled for operation in 2024. The bunkering terminals can be delivered worldwide and are designed to suit the global market.

Photo credit: Azane Fuel Solutions
Published: 24 August, 2022

Alternative Fuels

Singapore: MPA issues circular on resolutions adopted at IMO MSC 109

New circular informs shipping community of the resolutions, including on use of ammonia cargo as bunker fuel, and urges the shipping community to prepare for the implementation of these resolutions.

Published

4 hours ago

March 18, 2025

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) on Monday (17 March) issued Shipping Circular No. 2 of 2025 regarding resolutions adopted by the 109th session of the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC 109) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which was held from 2 to 6 December 2024:

This circular informs the shipping community of the resolutions adopted by MSC 109 and urges the shipping community to prepare for the implementation of these resolutions.

MSC 109 adopted the following mandatory resolutions:

Resolution MSC.566(109) – Amendments to the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code)

This resolution adopts amendments to Chapter 16 of the IGC Code, mainly to allow the use of ammonia cargo as fuel. The amendments will enter into force on 01 July 2026 and will be given effect through the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Regulations.

Resolution MSC.567(109) – Amendments to the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code)

This resolution adopts amendments to IGF Code regarding ship design and arrangements; general pipe design; safety functions of the gas supply system; fire protection; hazardous area zones; and ventilation requirements. The amendments will enter into force on 01 January 2028 and will be given effect through the Merchant Shipping (Safety Convention) Regulations.

MSC 109 also adopted the following resolutions:

Resolution MSC.568(109) – Amendments to the Revised recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances (resolution MSC.81(70))

This resolution adopts amendments to Part 1- Prototype Test for Life-saving Appliances, for self-righting test requirements of totally enclosed lifeboats, under paragraph 6.14.1.1 of the Revised recommendation on testing of life-saving appliances (resolution MSC.81(70)).

Resolution MSC.569(109) – Performance standards for the reception of maritime safety information and search and rescue related information by MF and HF digital navigational data (NAVDAT) system

This resolution adopts the Performance standards for the reception of maritime safety information and search and rescue related information by MF and HF digital NAVDAT system.

Resolution MSC.509(105)/REV.1 – Provision of radio services for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

This resolution adopts the revised Recommendation on provision of radio services for the GMDSS, the Criteria for use when providing shore-based digital selective calling (DSC) facilities for use in the GMDSS, the Criteria for establishing GMDSS sea areas, the Criteria for use when providing a NAVTEX service and the Criteria for use when providing a NAVDAT service, set out in annexes 1 to 5, respectively, to the resolution. This resolution revokes resolution MSC.509(105).

Resolution MSC.570(109) – Performance standards for a universal shipborne Automatic Identification System (AIS)

This resolution adopts the revised Performance standards for a universal shipborne AIS, recognising the need for measures to prevent unauthorised entry or tampering of the ship's identity information in shipborne AIS.

Any queries relating to this circular should be directed to MPA Shipping Division via email at [email protected].

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 18 March, 2025

Alternative Fuels

AAL Shipping names methanol-ready multipurpose heavy lift vessel in China

Singapore-based AAL Shipping says it held a naming ceremony for “AAL Dubai” – a multipurpose heavy lift vessel that is methanol-ready – at CSSC Huangpu-Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou.

Published

4 hours ago

March 18, 2025

Admin

AAL Shipping names methanol-ready multipurpose heavy lift vessel in China

Singapore-headquartered project heavy lift carrier AAL Shipping (AAL) on Thursday (13 March) said it held a formal naming ceremony for its fifth Super B-Class vessel, AAL Dubai.

The 32,000 dwt AAL Dubai – a multipurpose heavy lift vessel that is methanol-ready – was officially named on March 12 at the CSSC Huangpu-Wenchong Shipyard in Guangzhou, China.

The AAL Dubai is engineered to transport a vast array of cargo, including heavy lift project equipment, breakbulk, and dry bulk, all on a single voyage. With a combined lifting capacity of 700 tonnes, this vessel is designed to offer high efficiency, cargo flexibility, and economies of scale to shippers worldwide.

The vessel will now embark on its maiden voyage, joining sister vessels AAL Limassol, AAL Hamburg, AAL Houston, and AAL Antwerp in serving project cargo customers across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Americas.

“We are now over the halfway mark with our Super B-Class deliveries, and those already in service are exceeding our expectations,” said Liew Teck Liong, Chief Financial Officer at AAL.

“With these vessels, we have achieved both company and industry firsts, and we look forward to redefining what a heavy lift, multipurpose vessel can accomplish as we deploy them for complex cargo challenges.”

Later this year, AAL will take delivery of the AAL Dammam, which will be shortly followed by the AAL Newcastle and AAL Mumbai that have an increased maximum heavy lift capability of 800 tonnes.

Photo credit: AAL Shipping
Published: 18 March, 2025

LNG Bunkering

Titan completes first LNG and bio-LNG bunkering op to MOL under new term contract

Titan’s LNG bunkering vessel “Alice Cosulich” delivered 500 mt of bio-LNG and 400 mt of conventional LNG to vehicle carrier “Celeste Ace” during a SIMOPS bunkering in Port of Zeebrugge.

Published

4 hours ago

March 18, 2025

Admin

Titan completes first LNG and bio-LNG bunkering op to MOL under new term contract

Titan Clean Fuels (Titan) on Monday (17 March) said it has completed the first LNG and liquefied biomethane (bio-LNG) bunkering operation of a new multi-delivery contract for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines’ vehicle carrier fleet.

On 16 March, Titan’s Alice Cosulich LNG bunkering vessel delivered 500 metric tonnes (mt) of bio-LNG and 400 mt of conventional LNG to the Celeste Ace vehicle carrier. The simultaneous operation (SIMOPS) bunkering took place in the Port of Zeebrugge’s International Car Operators (ICO) terminal.

Titan’s delivery of ISCC-EU-certified mass-balanced bio-LNG marks the first of a series of bio-LNG deliveries to the Japanese shipping company. The bio-LNG was produced using waste and residue, which reduces GHG emissions by up to 100% compared to marine diesel on a well-to-wake basis. LNG, bio-LNG, and renewable hydrogen-derived e-methane can be blended at any ratio and ‘dropped into’ existing LNG bunkering infrastructure with little to no modification.

Caspar Gooren, Commercial Director of Renewable Fuels at Titan, said: “This bunkering highlights the growing role of bio-LNG in decarbonizing international shipping today. With bio-LNG availability expanding, its deep decarbonization potential, and increasing commercial viability, the LNG pathway offers practical solutions for shipowners and operators. Moreover, with a global maritime leader like MOL putting its commercial weight behind bio-LNG, this is an exciting time for the clean fuels transition.”

Yoshikazu Urushitani, Marine Fuel GX Division General Manager at MOL, said: “We are exploring the use of ammonia and hydrogen fuels as part of our strategy to adopt clean alternative fuels, while moving to expand the use of LNG-fueled vessels and more quickly achieve a low-carbon society. We will also be early adopters of bio-LNG and synthetic LNG. Partnering with Titan, we will start using bio-LNG to lead the shipping industry in the transition to clean alternative fuels. We remain committed to adopting clean fuels to reach net zero GHG emissions by 2050.”

MOL currently operates five LNG-fuelled vehicle carriers and will have six more delivered by the middle of 2025.

Photo credit: Titan
Published: 18 March, 2025