ClassNK greenlights SDARI’s three alternative fuel-powered vehicle carrier designs

Japanese classification society ClassNK has approved three alternative fuel-powered vehicle carrier designs developed by China-based Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI).

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The first approval recognises an ammonia-ready LNG dual fuelled vehicle carrier with a capacity of 7,000 car equivalent units (CEU).

Ammonia-ready means that the vessel will not be capable of running on ammonia upon delivery, but it will have the option to be retrofitted for ammonia propulsion in the future.

The second and third approvals acknowledge methanol dual fuelled and ammonia dual fuelled vehicle carriers, respectively, both with a capacity of 10,000 CEU.

These three vessel designs “exemplify the new generation of green vehicle carriers, adaptable to various alternative fuel options and catering to future market demands,” ClassNK says.

The approval was granted following a review by ClassNK in accordance with relevant standards.

The approval in principle (AiP) was awarded to SDARI at the Marintec China 2023 event taking place in Shanghai this week.

By Tuhin Roy

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