ABS approves two new autonomous technologies for ammonia-fueled ships

September 24, 2024, by Aida Čučuk

Classification society ABS has approved two new autonomous technologies for ammonia-fueled ships from HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).

At Gastech 2024, ABS awarded approvals in principle (AiP) for unmanned ammonia engine room for ammonia-fueled ship and artificial intelligence (AI) safety package for unmanned engine room for ammonia-fueled ship.

The unmanned ammonia engine room technology allows for a remote propulsion control station with gas safety technology on the navigation bridge of an ammonia-fueled vessel with the capability to monitor the machinery space, ABS revealed, adding that the centralized control station can be periodically unattended and can take automated corrective actions in the event of a fault in the machinery.

As for the AI ammonia safety package, it is said to apply advanced AI technologies for machinery management and interior and exterior safety management in conjunction with ammonia-fueled ship design. The package is integrated into HD Hyundai’s Integrated Safety Control Solution (HiCAMS, AI+Vision) and Integrated Condition Diagnosis Solution (HiCBM, AI+CBM), and it features a rapid response fire-fighting station in the event of fire in the propulsion machinery space.

According to ABS, the AIPs are the culmination of a joint development project, part of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between ABS and HD Hyundai to advance the development of autonomous navigation technology into critical vessel machinery and safety systems.

Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, commented: “This is another exciting milestone for ABS and HD Hyundai. Our work together continues to make significant steps forward in the analysis and application of autonomous technologies in maritime settings. ABS understands that autonomous systems are not stand-alone products but fully integrated with vessel infrastructure and the result of numerous advancements in a wide variety of mechanisms including sensors, imaging, connectivity, machine learning and application of systems engineering in ship design.”

Jaejun Jung, Executive Vice President of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, stated: “Our extensive experience with alternative fuel systems has enabled us to develop the Unmanned Engine Room concept for Ammonia-Fueled ships, which enhances both crew safety and convenience. In collaboration with ABS, we have established an improved remote monitoring and automated system, which minimizes crew access to the engine room and is expected to facilitate safer voyages for the crew. This advanced concept will serve as an applicable solution for future newbuilding projects, meeting the demands of customers who seek safety-first ammonia-fueled ships. Furthermore, we anticipate that the AI Safety Package, when combined with the Unmanned Engine Room concept, will serve to enhance the safety level for the crew.”

To note, ABS awarded multiple AiPs during Gastech 2024, including for the initial design of an ammonia bunkering articulated tug barge (AB-ATB), the design of a liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO2) carrier and the design concept of 23,000 cbm and 50,000 cbm LCO2 carriers.