Japan: “K” Line, ITOCHU and partners receive ClassNK AiP for ammonia-fuelled bulk carrier
- Published
by Admin
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. (“K” Line) on Monday (28 November) said together with ITOCHU Corporation, Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd., Mitsui E&S Machinery Co., Ltd., and NS United Kaiun Kaisha, Ltd., they have obtained an Approval in Principle (AiP) from classification society ClassNK for the design of an ammonia-fuelled ship.
The 200,000 dwt class bulk carrier, which recently received an AiP, was developed by Nihon Shipyard as the part of the “Integrated Project for the Development and Social Implementation of Ammonia Fuelled Ships” which was jointly adopted by “the Green Innovation Fund Project / Development for NextGeneration Ships / Development of Ammonia-Fuelled Ships” of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
According to “K” Line, there were no international guidelines for the use of ammonia as marine fuel at the time, so ““K” Line and partners are looking toward obtaining Alternative Design Approval or the shipbuilding of the vessel.
A risk assessment (Hazard Identification Study – “HAZID”) was recently conducted on the safety of using ammonia as marine fuel, and the basic design of the Vessel was evaluated as “capable of ensuring the same level of safety as ships operating with existing fuel”.
“The acquisition of the AiP is an important milestone for the implementation of ammonia-fuelled ships, a new challenge for the maritime industry, and also an important step toward the further promotion of the “Integrated Project” being facilitated by ITOCHU Corporation,” “K” Line said.
“K” Line and partners will proceed with the development of the vessel based on the basic design for which the AiP has been obtained, and aims to take delivery of the vessel and begin its social implementation in 2026.
Photo credit: Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha
Published: 29 November, 2022
