Lloyd’s Register and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) have signed a joint development project for approval in principle (AiP) for a 15,300 TEU ammonia-powered dual-fuel container ship. Under the agreement, HHI has developed a twin skeg design for an ultra large container ship.
As the shipping industry strives to reduce its environmental impact, the potential of ammonia as fuel in shipping has emerged as a potential low-carbon option due to its zero carbon emissions when burned. However, challenges remain, particularly due to the inherent toxicity of ammonia, which has slowed its widespread adoption as a dual-fuel option in various ship types.
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Small bore engines
The 365-metre vessel features two small bore engines that are currently available on the market and ammonia fuel tanks positioned ahead of the engine room, far from the deckhouse, helping ensure safe fuel supply operations and better crew habitability.
It is the first design to offer ammonia-powered dual-fuel engines for an ultra large container ship (ULCS), as there is currently no large ammonia-powered dual-fuel big bore engine technically available. It hopes to address concerns from shipowners who are hesitant to adopt ammonia dual fuel systems until they are proven with applicable engine types for ULCSs.
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Safety review
The project aims to complete a full safety review that involves a feasibility assessment for ammonia fuel tanks constructed with low temperature steel and an evaluation of the structural integrity of the ship against sloshing loads. Additionally, it will review the fuel gas supply system, helping ensure safety and compatibility with ammonia.
Lloyd’s Register (LR) has reviewed the design to ensure it meets applicable standards of safety and operational efficiency relating to the usage of ammonia as a marine fuel and provide technical advice for further design development.
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Creating a safe framework for ammonia
LR is committed to the safe and sustainable use of ammonia fuel in the container ship industry. Through its “Fuel for Thought” alternative fuel report series, LR supports companies adopting ammonia as a fuel. Services include comprehensive HAZID, HAZOP, and quantitative risk assessments, along with several approvals in principle for vessel designs and technologies, and notable advancements in technical rule development. As a safety-focused, fuel-agnostic organisation, LR aims to create a safe framework for the ammonia cargo market and its use with other fuels.
Picture: From left to right: Jeon, Seung-ho, Head of Shipping Technology Division at HHI, and Kim, Young-Doo, GTSO Representative for Korea, Lloyd’s Register (photo by LR).
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