On September 8, Kawasaki Heavy Industries announced that, in collaboration with Mitsui E&S, a supplier of ammonia-fueled main engines and ammonia fuel supply systems, it had obtained Approval for Basic Design (AiP) from the Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) for an LPG/ammonia carrier capable of using liquefied ammonia as marine fuel.
<Image of an ammonia-fueled LPG/ammonia carrier>
Ammonia fuel is attracting attention as a clean fuel that does not emit CO2 when burned, amidst the tightening of various emission regulations from ships by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
This vessel underwent a safety assessment (HAZID) of its ammonia fuel supply equipment, involving experts, and implemented necessary countermeasures. As a result, its design safety was deemed to meet ClassNK standards, and it obtained AiP certification.
Ammonia-fueled LPG and ammonia carriers do not require dedicated fuel tanks because they use a portion of the liquefied ammonia they carry as cargo as fuel.
Furthermore, it has the advantage of being able to neutralize ammonia gas before releasing it into the atmosphere when ammonia gas is released during maintenance of fuel supply equipment, etc.
