Lloyd’s Register (LR) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have signed an approval in principle (AiP) for a 15,300 TEU Class ammonia-powered dual-fuel containership under a joint development project (JDP).
As the shipping industry seeks to reduce its environmental impact, the use of ammonia as a fuel in shipping has emerged as a feasible low-carbon option since it emits zero carbon dioxide when burned.
However, challenges remain, primarily owing to ammonia’s intrinsic toxicity, which has limited its widespread adoption as a dual-fuel alternative in many ship designs.
Under the agreement, HHI has developed a twin skeg design for an ultra large containership (ULCS).
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The 365-metre vessel has two small bore engines that are currently on the market, as well as ammonia fuel tanks located ahead of the engine room, away from the deckhouse, to guarantee safe fuel supply operations and improved crew habitability.
This is reportedly the first design to include ammonia-powered dual fuel engines for ULCS, as no large ammonia-powered dual fuel huge bore engines are currently available.
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The vessel design will undergo a safety review, assessing ammonia fuel tank feasibility with low-temperature steel, structural integrity against sloshing, and the fuel gas supply system for ammonia compatibility.
LR has reviewed it to ensure it meets applicable standards of safety and operational efficiency relating to the usage of ammonia as a marine fuel and provides technical advice for further design development.
Jeon, Seung-ho, Head of Shipping Technology Division at HHI, stated: “With the urgent need for sustainable fuel solutions in the maritime industry, this project seeks to deepen the understanding of ammonia as a marine fuel, setting the stage for future shipbuilding endeavours.”