ITOCHU-led consortium to develop safety specifications for ammonia-fuelled ships

A consortium led by Japanese trading company ITOCHU Corporation has agreed to jointly study safety specifications and design for ammonia-fuelled ships.

PHOTO: Model of ammonia-fuelled vessel. Ammonia Energy Association

A number of companies have already placed orders for ammonia-fuelled ships or received class approvals for larger vessel blueprints. But ammonia is highly toxic and corrosive in nature and requires proper risk assessments before designing a vessel that can run on ammonia.

ITOCHU and its partners will initially study the design and safety specifications of an ammonia dual-fuel 200,000-dwt class bulk carrier, which will be built by Tokyo-based Nihon Shipyard. The study will also assist in the development of future ammonia-powered ships for Nihon Shipyard and other partners involved in the project.

Other project partners include classification society ClassNK and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

Singapore’s MPA will review and upgrade the design of the vessel to ensure complete onboard safety. The study will also help in the development of specifications needed for ammonia-fuelled ships to conduct bunkering in Singapore and facilitate its commercialisation.

By Aparupa Mazumder 

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