www.drycargomag.com APRIL 2022
Major classification society ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the design of an ammonia-ready LNG-fuelled Panamax bulk carrier developed by Planning and Design Center for Greener Ships (GSC). Ammonia is expected to be used as ship fuel for decarbonization since it does not emit CO2 when burned. Meanwhile, taking adequate safety measures is essential due to its characteristics of being toxic to humans and corrosive against materials, and ClassNK has worked on development of standards and certification. In 2021, ClassNK published its “Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels” to minimize the risks related to AiP Handover Ceremony (at ClassNK booth, Sea Japan 2022). R: Shinjiro Mishima, ammonia-fuelled ships for the ships, crew, Representative Director, GSC; L:Hiroaki Sakashita, President & CEO, ClassNK. and environment by stipulating requirements for requirements as an LNGImages of ammonia-ready installation, controls, and fuelled ship and a future LNG-fuelled Panamax bulk safety devices. ClassNK ammonia-fuelled ship, carrier (courtesy of GSC). subsequently issued an ClassNK has issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) Approval in Principle (AiP) for the design of an as an ammonia-ready LNGammonia-fuelled Panamax fuelled ship. bulk carrier developed by ClassNK will continue to GSC in January 2022. participate in innovative GSC describes the newly initiatives related to decarbdeveloped design as LNGonization. By incorporating fuelled but ready for the expertise obtained from ammonia-fuelled. For the the collaborative work with short-term aiming lower frontrunners into its rules CO2 emissions, it will be and guidelines, ClassNK will operated by using LNG fuel. support the decarbonization For the long-term aiming of the entire industry. toward zero CO2 emissions, it has two scenarios; in the APPROVAL IN PRINCIPLE first scenario, it is converted (AIP) to ammonia fuelled At the initial stage of propulsion systems, in the designing or before the second scenario, it will keep specific target ship to be the systems but will switch implemented is decided, the its fuel from LNG to liquified design is examined based on carbon-neutral methane. The the existing regulations such ship is developed as a flexible as international treaties and and efficient solution to ship classification rules, and enduring the unpredictable an Approval in Principle period of fuel transition. (AiP) is issued as proof of ClassNK reviewed the conformity with requiredesign as an LNG-fuelled ship ments. It also prevents based on its Rule Part GF rework of regulatory incorporating IGF Code, and aspects in the post-process, as an ammonia-ready ship shortens the examination based on Concept Design time at the time of class category of its ‘Guidelines for registration, and can be used Ships Using Alternative Fuels’ as a technical basis for Annex 1 verifying the external appeal of the conformity to their design status.
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ClassNK issues Approval in Principle (AiP) for ammoniaready LNG-fuelled Panamax bulk carrier developed by GSC
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