ClassNK greenlights K Line’s ammonia-fuelled car carrier design

Japanese shipping major K Line and compatriot firm Shin Kurushima Dockyard have received an approval in principle (AiP) from classification society ClassNK for a concept design of an ammonia-fuelled car carrier.

As disclosed, in this joint project, Shin Kurushima Dockyard, ClassNK and K Line formulated a potential risk assessment and safety measures for using ammonia as a fuel. Based on the safety evaluation of ammonia fuel, the companies worked on the development of a ship that can both reduce environmental impact and meet actual operational requirements.

In October this year, the Japanese giant  ITOCHU Corporation, NS United Kaiun Kaisha, Nihon Shipyard and Mitsui E&S Machinery to apply for the “Green Innovation Fund Project / Development Project for Next-Generation Ships / Development of Ammonia-Fueled Ships“.

Under the project, which received funding from Japan’s largest public management organization New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), K line will conduct an operational demonstration of an ammonia-fueled ship.

As ammonia fuel does not emit carbon dioxide (CO2) during combustion, it is attracting attention as a next-generation marine fuel that will contribute to the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) strategic goal of GHG reduction by 2050, which is to reduce total GHG emissions by 50% from the 2008 level.

According to the predictions from the International Energy Agency (IEA), it will account for around 45% of global energy demand for shipping in 2050.