Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (‘K’ Line) and Itochu Corporation, Nihon Shipyard Mitsui E&S Machinery and NS United Kaiun Kaisha have jointly obtained an Approval in Principle (AiP) from Classification Society, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) for the design of an ammonia-fuelled 200,000dwt bulk carrier.
The vessel 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 Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
At this time, there are no international guidelines for the use of ammonia as marine fuel, so ‘K’ Line and partners are looking toward obtaining Alternative Design Approval for the build of the Vessel. A risk assessment (Hazid) was recently conducted on the safety of using ammonia as marine fuel, and the basic design of the vessel was evaluated as being capable of ensuring the same level of safety as ships operating with existing fuel.
The acquisition of the AiP is considered 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 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 implementation in 2026.
