Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) has announced that it will provide the world’s first accreditation for “Machinery Room Safety for Ammonia” (MRS) to NYK’s ammonia-fuelled medium gas carrier (AFMGC).
This AFMGC is reportedly being built by a partnership led by NYK and Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd. (NSY).
MRS is a class notation indicating whether a ship is equipped with excellent ammonia safety procedures in the machinery room.
Additionally, MRS verifies that the vessel passes the highest safety standards outlined in the requirements for ammonia-fuelled ships.
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The partnership plans to deliver the AFMGC by the end of November 2026.
Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) is funding the vessel’s development through its Green Innovation Fund Project.
To combat toxicity, the consortium undertook a risk assessment assessed by ClassNK, risk assessments and user-centred safety measures led by NYK experts, and a study of the ship’s specifications to achieve the world’s highest degree of safety.
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ClassNK’s ammonia-fuelled ship rules specify the minimal design criteria for safe ammonia use on board.
To get an MRS notation, companies must meet the optional functional criteria to reduce personal exposure to leaking ammonia in the machinery room.
ClassNK noted that this designation will only be issued to ships that satisfy the functional requirements and maintain the greatest degree of safety.
