Ammonia

DNV outlines recommendations for safe use of ammonia as a marine fuel

DNV released its recommended practice, developed with industry leaders, providing the guidance shipowners, operators and training institutions need to build ammonia-specific competence on board.

Published

1 year ago

May 8, 2025

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Classification society DNV on Tuesday (6 May) released its recommended practice, developed with industry leaders, providing the guidance shipowners, operators and training institutions need to build ammonia-specific competence on board.

DNV and industry experts shared key learnings from other sectors, along with the procedures and measures needed to ensure the safe operation of ammonia-fuelled vessels through the right competence:

Low-emission ammonia is increasingly recognized as a viable alternative fuel with significant potential in helping the maritime industry decarbonize. Unlike conventional fuels, it has distinct characteristics that necessitate specific handling and safety protocols. However, with proper training and a well-established safety culture its use can be effectively managed.

“Ammonia is a chemical that deserves respect but should not be feared. This starts with a clear understanding of the hazard profile,” says Laurent Ruhlmann, HESQ Vice President, Yara Clean Ammonia. The company handles 20% of all globally traded ammonia, produces more than eight million tonnes of ammonia per year, and has a history of producing ammonia dating back to 1927.

Bridging the ammonia competence gap in maritime

“There is a lot of experience from handling ammonia on land for decades that can be easily ported over to the maritime world to help it meet the upcoming decarbonization targets,” Ruhlmann explains.

The maritime industry needs to embrace viable alternative fuels to successfully decarbonize. However, despite three ammonia-fuelled vessels already in operation and more than 30 currently on order (according to DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insight platform), specific training programmes for its safe handling as a marine fuel have been relatively slow to develop. This has created a growing competence gap, as existing training frameworks for alternative fuels like LNG do not adequately address the distinct properties and handling requirements of ammonia.

Maritime stakeholders shape ammonia safety practice

“Alternative fuel guidelines provide a strong foundation for safe adoption and handling, but ammonia requires a dedicated framework and strategy tailored to its specific properties,” says Erlend Erstad, Senior Consultant, Safety, Risk & Reliability at DNV Maritime Advisory. Together with industry partners, DNV has developed a recommended practice (RP) to provide shipowners, operators and regulators with the structured approach needed to ensure competence readiness for ammonia-fuelled vessels.

“DNV’s RP assists shipowners and training institutions as they develop new marine fuel programmes based on its guidance and with input to reviewed safety protocols, risk assessment frameworks and crew training requirements. It was developed with input from a number of key stakeholders including Amon Maritime, Azane Fuel Solutions, Yara Clean Ammonia, Wärtsilä, Kongsberg Maritime and Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement/Ula Ship Management. This provided us with rounded and comprehensive best practice,” says Erstad, highlighting the benefits of close industry collaborations.

Learning from Yara’s leadership in ammonia safety

Yara Clean Ammonia was a key contributor to the RP’s development and has a strong safety culture. As a leader in ammonia production and handling, the company has decades of experience producing and transporting ammonia and operates the largest global ammonia network, with 15 vessels and access to 18 terminals worldwide.

Yara Clean Ammonia has already taken a final investment decision on Yara Eyde, which will be the world’s first ammonia-fuelled container vessel. The ship will transport goods between the Oslofjord area and other parts of northern Europe. Sixty per cent of the cargo will be Yara’s fertilizer products, thereby helping to reduce scope 3 emissions for Yara International.

“Yara Clean Ammonia’s extensive experience with the worldwide ammonia trade has helped shape the RP’s recommendations, particularly those regarding handling protocols, emergency response and risk assessment,” reports Kirsten Strømsnes, Business Development Leader at DNV Maritime Advisory.

“The development of alternative fuels to replace heavy fuel oil (HFO) has been ongoing for decades, particularly since the adoption of gaseous fuels like liquefied natural gas (LNG). This extensive experience, along with insights from other industries such as Yara, gives the shipping industry an advantage in managing the safe use of ammonia as a fuel.”

Note: The full article by DNV on ‘Managing the safe use of ammonia as a marine fuel’ can be found here.

Photo credit: Venti Views on Unsplash
Published: 8 May, 2025

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Alternative Fuels

Yang Ming orders six LNG dual-fuel, ammonia-ready containerships from Hanwha Ocean

Each of the six new vessels will have a capacity of up to 13,650 TEU and feature LNG dual-fuel propulsion and Ammonia Fuel Ready specifications.

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Yang Ming orders six LNG dual-fuel, ammonia-ready containerships from Hanwha Ocean

Taiwanese shipping firm Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation (Yang Ming) and South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean on Wednesday (2 September) signed a shipbuilding contract for six 13,000 TEU class LNG dual-fuel container vessels.

The contract was signed by Dr. Chuck Tsai, Chairman of Yang Ming, and Mr. Charles Kim, CEO of Hanwha Ocean. The vessels are scheduled for delivery between 2028 and 2029.

They will complement Yang Ming’s existing fleet of 10,000+ TEU vessels and serve as key vessels on East-West services, with deployment flexibility across trade lanes connecting Asia with the East and West Coasts of North America, South America, and the Mediterranean.

Each of the six new vessels will have a capacity of up to 13,650 TEU and feature LNG dual-fuel propulsion and Ammonia Fuel Ready specifications.

“As Yang Ming transitions toward net-zero emissions, LNG provides a relatively mature and economically viable alternative fuel solution, capable of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 20%,” the company said.

“At the same time, ammonia can serve as a carbon-free fuel by utilising converted LNG storage facilities, while offering relatively lower conversion costs and comparatively well-developed supply chains and infrastructure. The Ammonia Fuel Ready design will therefore provide Yang Ming with greater flexibility in responding to increasingly stringent international regulations on greenhouse gas emissions.”

In addition, the vessels will be equipped with Type B LNG fuel tanks with a design pressure of 1.0 bar to enhance the safety and efficiency of LNG operations, together with a range of energy-saving technologies, including Wind Shields, Rudder Bulbs, Pre-Swirl Stators, and Shore Power Systems. Smart ship technologies and cybersecurity protection features will also be incorporated to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and reliability while effectively reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Deliveries under Yang Ming’s next-generation fleet optimization plan commenced earlier this year. By 2030, a total of 24 new vessels are expected to enter service.

This includes 18 LNG dual-fuel vessels—comprising five 15,500 TEU, seven 16,000 TEU, and the six 13,000 TEU vessels under this contract—alongside six 8,000 TEU methanol dual-fuel-ready ships.

Photo credit: Yang Ming Marine Transport
Published: 4 September, 2026

Alternative Fuels

LR, China’s MARIC unveil tanker concept ready for three future bunker fuels

Both secured AiP for a new 114,000 DWT product and crude oil tanker designed to accommodate future conversion to LNG, methanol or ammonia.

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September 4, 2026

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LR, China’s MARIC unveil tanker concept ready for three future bunker fuels

Lloyd’s Register (LR) and the Marine Design and Research Institute of China (MARIC) on Thursday (3 September) have secured Approval in Principle (AiP) for a new 114,000 DWT product and crude oil tanker designed to accommodate future conversion to LNG, methanol or ammonia.

Announced at SMM 2026, the concept addresses one of the biggest investment challenges facing shipping today: the need to develop vessels and capabilities that can support a range of alternative fuel options and pathways as technologies, infrastructure and regulations evolve.

While LNG is already a mature fuel pathway, methanol and ammonia remain at an earlier stage of development, with questions around global fuel availability, infrastructure development, economics and long-term adoption.

The 114,000 DWT tanker concept has been designed as a product and crude oil carrier that can accommodate future conversion to LNG, methanol or ammonia as technologies, regulations and fuel supply chains mature. By incorporating conversion readiness at the design stage, the concept aims to reduce future retrofit complexity and provide owners with greater confidence when planning long-term fleet investments.

The design concept was reviewed against LR’s July 2026 class rules and regulations, including requirements relating to ships using gases and other low-flashpoint fuels, alongside relevant IACS Common Structural Rules for oil tankers. Final classification and statutory approval remain subject to full compliance with all applicable rules and regulations.

Theo Kourmpelis, Global Business Director for Tankers, Lloyd’s Register, said: “Shipowners are being asked to make major investment decisions today despite continued uncertainty around which fuels will dominate in the decades ahead. Alternative fuel solutions each offer potential pathways to compliance, but fuel infrastructure, regulation and economics continue to evolve at different speeds around the world.

“Designs that preserve flexibility will be critical in helping owners manage risk while preparing for multiple future scenarios.”

Si Nan, Marine & Offshore Marketing Department Vice Director, MARIC, said: “As the industry explores different decarbonisation pathways, shipowners need vessel designs that can adapt alongside technological and regulatory developments. This concept was developed specifically to provide greater fuel flexibility and long-term resilience, allowing owners to respond to changing market requirements without being locked into a single fuel strategy.

“Receiving Approval in Principle from Lloyd’s Register is an important milestone that validates the design concept and supports its future development.”

Photo credit: Lloyd’s Register
Published: 4 September, 2026

Ammonia

Mitsui E&S commercialises ammonia dual-fuel engines and fuel supply systems

Company says it has established a supply framework for marine propulsion systems aimed at the practical implementation of ammonia-fuelled vessels.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 24, 2026

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Mitsui E&S commercialises ammonia dual-fuel engines and fuel supply systems

Mitsui E&S on Thursday (20 August) said it has completed the commercialisation of large ammonia dual-fuel marine engines and ammonia fuel supply systems (AFSS).

As the only company in Japan manufacturing both ammonia dual fuel engines and AFSS, the company said it has established a supply framework for marine propulsion systems aimed at the practical implementation of ammonia-fuelled vessels.

“While ammonia holds promise as a next-generation fuel that emits no carbon dioxide during combustion, it is difficult to ignite and poses risks related to toxicity and corrosiveness; therefore, ensuring safety, reliability, and environmental performance is crucial for its practical implementation in society,” it said.

In February, Mitsui E&S conducted land-based tests involving the integrated operation of the Ammonia dual fuel engine MITSUI-Everllence B&W 7S60ME-C10.5-LGIA-HPSCR and the AFSS, witnessed by ClassNK (Nippon Kaiji Kyokai), and verified their performance.

Following the completion of the tests and the subsequent review, Mitsui E&S confirmed the completion of onshore testing in accordance with classification society rules and verified compliance with International Maritime Organization (IMO) NOx regulations through NOx certification.

“Consequently, we have finalised the commercialisation of the ammonia dual fuel engines and the AFSS and are now able to supply it for actual vessels,” it added.

Mitsui E&S said it has already decided to expand its land-based testing facilities for AFSS compatible with both Everllence and WinGD licensed engines.

“In conjunction with this, we will establish a mass-production system for both the engines and the AFSS to meet the anticipated rise in demand,” it said.

Mitsui E&S added the company is expanding its engine lineup to accommodate a diverse range of next-generation marine fuels, including ammonia, by offering ammonia-fuelled engines and AFSS as an integrated package.

Photo credit: Mitsui E&S
Published: 24 August, 2026