Classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) on Monday (14 July) announced that its Marine and Offshore division will classify the world’s first 5,000 cubic metre (m3) ammonia bunkering vessel.

The vessel will be built by Sasaki Shipbuilding (Sasaki) and expected to be delivered around September 2027. 

“The project marks a significant step forward in establishing the infrastructure required to support ammonia as a next-generation marine fuel,” BV said on its website. 

The vessel will be classed in accordance with Bureau Veritas’ rigorous standards for safety, sustainability, and innovation, including NR 620 – Rules for Bunkering Ships, and NR 467 – Rules for the Classification of Steel Ships. 

The vessel will also be eligible for SW-Registry and CYBER RESILIENT additional class notations, underscoring its data security protection credentials and in compliance with IACS UR E26 & UR E27.

“This groundbreaking project builds on the long-term collaboration between Bureau Veritas and Sasaki in supporting the development and adoption of new fuels, such as ammonia, as part of our shared mission to drive environmental stewardship and innovation across the maritime industry,” BV added.

Matthieu de Tugny, Executive Vice President of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, said: “Our long-standing relationship with Sasaki is built on shared ambition for safe, sustainable innovation in shipbuilding. We’re proud to support this first-of-its-kind ammonia bunkering vessel, which represents real progress toward scaling up the infrastructure for zero-carbon fuels.”

Manifold Times previously reported ITOCHU Corporation signing a shipbuilding contract for the construction of a 5,000 m3 ammonia bunkering vessel with Sasaki Shipbuilding.

The contract was one of the agreements that were concluded to pursue the Demonstration Project for Bunkering Ammonia as Marine Fuel in Singapore adopted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan as part of the Global South Future-oriented Co-Creation Project (large-scale demonstration in ASEAN member states). 

The vessel will be flagged under the Singapore Registry.

Related: ITOCHU orders world’s first ammonia bunkering vessel for Singapore demonstration project

Photo credit: Bureau Veritas
Published: 17 July 2025

ITOCHU Corporation (ITOCHU) on Monday (14 July) announced that it recently signed a shipbuilding contract for the construction of a 5,000 m3 ammonia bunkering vessel with Sasaki Shipbuilding. 

The company also announced an agreement regarding the construction of an ammonia tank plant that will be loaded onto the vessel with Izumi Steel Works. 

These agreements were signed by Clean Ammonia Bunkering Shipping Pte Ltd (CABS), a wholly owned Singapore-based specific purpose company of ITOCHU. 

In relation to this, CABS has concluded a financing agreement with The Hiroshima Bank for financing a part of purchase price of the vessel.

The agreements were concluded to pursue the Demonstration Project for Bunkering Ammonia as Marine Fuel in Singapore adopted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan as part of the Global South Future-oriented Co-Creation Project (large-scale demonstration in ASEAN member states). 

Going forward, with an eye toward the demonstration of ammonia bunkering in Singapore after building the world’s first newbuilding ammonia bunkering vessel, ITOCHU said efforts will be made to facilitate concrete discussions with the maritime stakeholders, including the port authority in Singapore, the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), and the fuel producers, while obtaining support from the Japanese Government.

The vessel is to be flagged under the Singapore Registry and is expected to be delivered in September 2027.

ITOCHU will establish a safe offshore bunkering operation of ammonia as marine fuel by way of ship-to-ship transfer through the development and construction of the vessel and demonstration. 

Then, by utilising the vessel, ITOCHU will establish connection between the first movers in clean ammonia production and the first movers in the ammonia-fueled vessels and secure initial demand for ammonia as marine fuel, aiming at the commercialisation of ammonia bunkering business in Singapore and expansion of similar business model to major maritime transportation points around the world, including Spain (Strait of Gibraltar), Egypt (Suez Canal) and Japan.

Photo credit: ITOCHU Corporation
Published: 15 July 2025

Fratelli Cosulich Marine Energy on Wednesday (9 July) announced the steel cutting ceremony of Lucia Cosulich, a 7,999 DWT IMO Type 2 chemical bunker tanker – the second vessel in a series of four – at Taizhou Maple Leaf Shipyard, China.

“This milestone marks another bold step in our Marine Energy business unit’s commitment to clean fuel readiness and operational excellence,” said the company.

The vessel will be fully methanol-ready, capable of carrying, burning, and bunkering methanol safely and efficiently, with full regulatory compliance standards.

It will feature an integrated Nitrogen Generator System, ensuring safe and inert tank operations at all times. Equipped with advanced safety systems specifically engineered for low-flashpoint fuel handling, the vessel sets a new benchmark in future fuel readiness.

A complete methanol bunkering setup will come as standard, including the Quick Connect/Disconnect Couplings (QCDC), dedicated transfer lines and comprehensive monitoring and control systems to ensure efficient and secure fuel handling.

“Built on state-of-the-art architecture, she is designed not only to meet but to exceed the evolving demands of tomorrow’s energy supply chain,” noted the firm.

“Lucia Cosulich embodies our vision to lead the transition within the maritime fuel landscape.”

Photo credit: Fratelli Cosulich
Published: 11 July 2025