Industry heavyweights to advance ammonia dual-fuel 8,200 TEU boxship design

Swiss shipping major Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), classification society Lloyd’s Register (LR), German engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions (MAN ES) and Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which now includes the Liberian International Ship and Corporate Registry (LISCR), to enhance the design for the ammonia dual-fuel 8,200 TEU containership design.

As disclosed, the agreement is a continuation of a joint development project, which started in May 2023, aimed to further develop the technical and operational feasibility of ammonia fuel for the 8,200 TEU SDARI boxship design.

Under the first MOU, a technical specification and the associated design documents were developed for an ammonia fuel variant of the twin island containership design, a process covering all elements of the design and the intended operational profile of the vessel.

The new MoU was signed at this year’s SMM in Hamburg on September 5, 2024. This second phase of the project looks to adopt the upcoming interim guidelines from the IMO for ammonia as fuel, due later this month, to enhance and mature the design.

Furthermore, SDARI will prepare the consolidated specifications and design documentation of the ammonia dual-fuel variant, while LR and LISCR will verify that the design conforms with safety standards and rules relating to the usage of ammonia as a marine fuel.

MAN ES delivered data for SDARI to carry out the design of the engine room and ammonia fuel supply and emission abatement systems.  

“We are pleased to continue our strong working relationship in this important project to develop and test the feasibility of an ammonia fueled containership. MSC is committed to sustainability and exploring different alternative fuel options and if they can be safely adopted and the impact they will have on vessel operation,” Giuseppe Gargiulo, Head of Newbuilding, MSC commented.

Zhou Zhiyong, the VP of SDARI, stated that it is important to have an opportunity to continue this project focused on assessing the risks and opportunities of using zero-carbon fuels like ammonia, He also emphased the significance of sharing these insights across the maritime supply chain.

Meanwhile, Bjarne Foldager, Head of 2-stroke at MAN Energy Solutions, said that achieving the industry’s decarbonization goals requires a thorough evaluation of all fuel alternatives. He noted that engaging in this collaboration supports the company’s strategic aim of providing decarbonization solutions and reinforces the industry’s commitment to reducing emissions.

“The Liberian Registry is proud to join this project with likeminded forward looking industry leaders in our joint pursuit for solutions to reach net zero GHG emissions for international shipping. Ammonia is one of the fuels that can achieve this ambitious target, and by properly addressing the safety challenges of ammonia fuel this project provides promising prospects for the container ship segment,” Thomas Klenum, Executive Vice President, Liberian Registry, added.

Despite facing high costs and safety issues, clean ammonia has been recognized as a prospective marine bunker fuel. In June this year, Lloyd’s Register, together with classification society ABS, awarded approval in principle for the development of a new ammonia-fueled 3,500 TEU container feeder vessel design.

The taskforce behind the project includes industry majors A. P. Møller-Mærsk, MAN Energy Solutions, Deltamarin, Eltronic FuelTech, ABS and LR led by the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping.