Ammonia

SMW 2025: DNV awards AiP to MARIC for ammonia-ready Kamsarmax bulk carrier

AiP is for Marine Design and Research Institute of China’s new wide beam ammonia-ready Kamsarmax bulk carrier, which has a shallow draft for flexible port calls, as well as being WAPS ready.

Published

1 year ago

March 27, 2025

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SMW 2025: DNV awards AiP to MARIC for ammonia-ready Kamsarmax bulk carrier

Classification society DNV on Wednesday (26 March) awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) to Marine Design and Research Institute of China (MARIC) for their new wide beam ammonia-ready Kamsarmax bulk carrier, as part of Singapore Maritime Week (SMW 2025).

The vessel has a shallow draft for flexible port calls, as well as being WAPS (wind assisted propulsion system) ready.

Green ammonia is emerging as a strong candidate for the climate-neutral fuel shipping needs to meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals, especially when produced from renewably produced energy and inputs. In 2024, the first orders for non-gas carrier ammonia-fuelled vessels were placed, mainly in the bulk carrier segment, highlighting ammonia’s emergence as a real option in the alternative fuel market.

To support the industry’s interest in the new fuel, DNV has awarded an AiP to Maric for a new ammonia-ready Kamsarmax bulk carrier design. With a length of 229 m and an increased beam of 38m, the design has been optimized for more cargo volume at same draft.

The hull structure is reinforced, and space is reserved for an easier retrofit of both the ammonia tanks and system. With 4,500 CBM capacity tanks, the vessel can cover more than 15,000 nautical miles at design speed – fuelled on ammonia.

Mr Zhu, Jianzhang, Vice President of MARIC, said: “We are proud to announce our strategic collaboration with DNV, to pioneer the design of a 91k DWT ammonia-fuelled bulk carrier. This partnership underscores our commitment to advancing green shipping technologies and accelerating the maritime industry’s transition to a low-carbon future.”

“By working together we can overcome the technical and operational challenges associated with ammonia as a marine fuel, deliver a cutting-edge solution that aligns with global decarbonization goals, and set a new benchmark for clean, efficient, and commercially viable bulk carriers.”

Øyvind Pettersen, Head of Technical Centre China, at DNV Maritime, said: “Awarding MARIC this AiP is another milestone in advancing ammonia as a marine fuel. However, realizing its potential demands both innovation and an unwavering focus on safety.”

“This is why we value working with MARIC and their commitment to building on the foundation of the industry’s most advanced classification standards. DNV is very proud to collaborate on this AiP, which will strengthen confidence in new fuels, and further shipping’s journey toward a more sustainable tomorrow.”

The first edition of DNV’s classification rules for ammonia-fuelled ships was published in 2021. Updates followed in 2022 and 2023, including the Gas Fuelled Ammonia class notation which gives owners the option to start building ships for future ammonia propulsion, by setting out the requirements for the ship’s fuel system, fuel bunkering connection and piping through to the fuel consumers.

This year, a new DNV white paper, “Safe introduction of alternative fuels – Focus on ammonia and hydrogen as ship fuels”, provides shipowners with insights and tools to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and implement these fuels.

An Approval in Principle (AiP) is an independent assessment of a concept within an agreed framework, confirming that the design is feasible, and no significant obstacles exist to prevent the concept from being realised.

Photo credit: DNV
Published: 27 March, 2025

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Ammonia

HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

HPA says the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

Published

6 hours ago

July 22, 2026

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HPA and MB Energy develop safety concept for STS ammonia bunkering

The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and integrated energy company MB Energy on Tuesday (21 July) said they have completed a comprehensive risk analysis and developed a dedicated safety concept for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering.

MB Energy said the analysis lays the groundwork for the safe introduction of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

“With our planned ammonia import terminal in Hamburg-Blumensand, MB Energy intends to provide the reliable land side supply infrastructure needed to support this transition across northern German ports,” it said in a social media post.

Mabanaft Group was renamed to MB Energy last year and merged over 50 existing brands under one identity.

Separately, HPA said the Port of Hamburg will become “bunker ready” for ammonia, laying the groundwork for safe and reliable ammonia bunkering in the future.

“The focus is in particular on container ships, cruise ships as well as RoRo and ConRo (Container/RoRo) ships,” it said.

“We expect ammonia to establish itself as an alternative marine marine fuel in the coming years. With our preparatory work, we are already creating the conditions to welcome the first ammonia-powered ships in Hamburg and to bunker them safely.:

HPA added that the import terminal for ammonia planned by MB Energy from 2029 will make a decisive contribution to ensuring the reliable availability of ammonia as a bunker fuel in northern German ports in the long term.

“The use of an ammonia bunker barge is considered a possible addition to the landside infrastructure to enable ship bunkering in the port and beyond in the future,” it said.

Photo credit: Hamburg Port Authority
Published: 22 July, 2026

Ammonia

EXMAR’s “ANTWERPEN” completes first commercial voyage using ammonia bunker fuel

During its voyage from China to India, the vessel achieved ammonia dual-fuel operation fully in line with our expectations and design, demonstrating that the technology works in commercial service.

Published

1 day ago

July 21, 2026

Admin

EXMAR’s “ANTWERPEN” completes first commercial voyage using ammonia bunker fuel

Belgian shipowner EXMAR on Monday (20 July) announced the successful completion of gas carrier ANTWERPEN’s first commercial voyage using ammonia as a marine fuel.

During its voyage from China to India, the vessel achieved ammonia dual-fuel operation fully in line with our expectations and design, demonstrating that the technology works in commercial service.

“Together with our partners, we continue to fine-tune the systems as we build on this outstanding achievement. We are proud of our crew for their excellent pioneering work,” the company said in a social media post.

Developed in close collaboration with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, WinGD, Nord Gas Solutions (formerly Wärtsilä Gas Solutions), and Lloyd’s Register, ANTWERPEN is capable of carrying up to 46,000 m³ of ammonia or LPG and trading with close to zero emissions when using low-carbon ammonia fuel.

The vessel meets and exceeds current IMO emissions reduction targets, reducing greenhouse gases by up to 90% compared to conventional ships.

Manifold Times previously reported ANTWERPEN participated in a pipe-to-ship (PTS) ammonia bunkering operation in Ulsan Port.

The operation was carried out by Lotte Fine Chemical Co Ltd with 600 metric tonnes (mt) of green ammonia (NH3) supplied to ANTWERPEN.

Photo credit: EXMAR
Published: 21 July, 2026

Alternative Fuels

KR, HD Hyundai tap first ammonia dual-fuel sea trial to develop vessel operating standards

Trial generated data on the vessel’s fuel supply system and engine, which will provide a technical foundation for KR’s future development of domestic guidelines for ammonia-fuelled ships.

Published

5 days ago

July 17, 2026

Admin

KR, HD Hyundai tap first ammonia dual-fuel sea trial to develop vessel operating standards

Korean Register (KR) on Tuesday (14 July) said it is collaborating with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) to establish a domestic operating environment for ammonia-fuelled vessels under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries’ Green Shipping Corridor Construction Support Project.

The initiative supports the development of ammonia as one of the most promising next-generation marine fuels.

HHI recently conducted a sea trial of Korea’s first ammonia dual-fuel propulsion vessel. The trial generated operational data on the vessel’s fuel supply system and engine, which will provide a valuable technical foundation for KR’s future development of domestic guidelines for environmentally friendly vessel operations and supporting wider maritime decarbonisation efforts.

A spokesperson for HD Hyundai, said: “Drawing on our group’s R&D capabilities and on-site technical expertise, we have made meaningful progress in advancing the application of ammonia as a marine fuel. We expect this to help enhance a sustainable maritime ecosystem while strengthening the competitiveness of Korea’s shipbuilding industry.”

Kim Daeheon, Executive Vice President of KR’s R&D Division, added: “The close collaboration between KR and HD Hyundai has enabled us to build the technical foundation for introducing ammonia-fueled vessels in Korea. We will continue to drive national projects forward together with HD Hyundai and establish technical standards befitting the era of Green Shipping Corridors.”

Photo credit: HD Hyundai Heavy Industries
Published: 17 July, 2026