Norwegian ammonia-powered bulker receives design approval

Shipping classification society Bureau Veritas has approved the design of short-sea ammonia-powered bulk carrier developed by Norway's Viridis Bulk Carrier.

PHOTO: A model of Viridis Bulk Carrier's ammonia-powered short-sea bulk carrier. Viridis Bulk Carrier

Viridis Bulk Carriers is a joint venture between the Norwegian shipping firms Navigare Logistics and Mosvolds Rederi, along with maritime project developer Amon Maritime.

Viridis expects to receive its first vessel orders later this year, with deliveries starting in 2025. The vessel is designed so that future retrofits can be made possible, it said in an email statement.  

“We have developed the understanding required and the classification rules that help make safe innovation possible,” Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore’s North Europe Zone vice president Herman Spilker said.

The short-sea ammonia-powered bulk carrier will have a sailing range of 3,000 nautical miles, which is similar to that of a conventional short-sea bulk carrier.

Viridis is also a consortium member of the “Ammonia Fuel Bunkering Network”, which will build a bunkering network in Scandinavia in collaboration with ammonia producer Yara International and bunkering firm Azane Fuel Solution.

Last April, Yara and Azane Fuel Solution signed an agreement to establish an ammonia bunkering network in Scandinavia. Azane will deliver 15 ammonia floating bunkering stations to Yara.

By Nithin Chandran

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online