ClassNK AiP awarded to TBG and NYK for ammonia bunkering boom

NYK Line on Monday (30 September) said it received an approval in principle (AiP) certificate with TB Global Technologies Ltd. (TBG) for the design of a ship-to-ship bunkering boom for ammonia fuel at Gastech 2024, held in Houston from classification society ClassNK on 18 September. 

This is the world’s first bunkering boom for ammonia-fuelled vessels to receive the AiP, and will provide a major boost to the expansion of the practical application of ammonia-fuelled vessels.

The most distinctive feature of the boom is a TBG-developed emergency-release system that allows the connection between an ammonia-fueled vessel and an ammonia bunkering vessel (ABV) to be disconnected instantly in an emergency.

In acquiring the AiP, NYK provided design data for its in-house developed ABV. In addition, to improve the safety and operability of the equipment, NYK provided knowledge on the handling of ammonia gained by NYK from its ammonia-transport business and expertise gained from Kaguya, Japan’s first LNG bunkering vessel. 

Kaguya is operated by Central LNG Marine Fuel Corporation, of which NYK is the largest shareholder.

NYK will continue collaborating with companies in Japan and overseas and actively promoting research and development of facilities and equipment that consider the natural environment and crew safety.

Photo credit: TB Global Technologies
Published: 1 October, 2024