Itochu Corporation, ClassNK, Nihon Shipyard and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding a joint study for the design and safety specifications of ammonia-fuelled ships which are under development by Itochu and partners.
According to ClassNK, ammonia is advancing as a viable marine fuel solution for the decarbonisation of the maritime sector, and discussions for specification of ammonia-fuelled ships with government bodies related to their operation is seen as essential. As one of parties of the MoU, MPA, the government agency overseeing the world’s busiest bunkering hub, will review and provide views on the designs of ammonia-fuelled ships to ensure their safe operations.
The MoU is based on the premise that 200,000 dwt bulk carriers will be built by Nihon Shipyard with an ammonia dual-fuelled engine by applying alternative design approval process. This is in accordance with the Integrated project for development and social implementation of ammonia-fuelled ships which was adopted under the Green Innovation Fund Project / Development Project for Next-Generation Ships / Development of Ammonia-Fuelled Ship, a project publicly offered by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) in October 2021. The necessary clarifications of the specification for commercialised ammonia-fuelled ships to carry out ammonia bunkering in Singapore will be conducted among parties of the MoU.
As a classification society, ClassNK is responsible for providing insight from the perspective of safety and environmental protection as well as information on the alternative design approval process. ClassNK is committed to participating in various initiatives towards decarbonisation and will contribute safety assessments and information provision.
