ABS gives green light to SHI’s new ammonia FPSO design

Classification society ABS has approved a new design of an ammonia floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) unit developed by South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI).

Having completed design reviews on the topside process, interface system, and layout based on class and statutory requirements, ABS has issued an approval in principle (AiP) to SHI for the concept named Samsung Ammonia Blue.

The concept features advanced safety components with an expected production capacity of 1.2 million tonnes per annum of ammonia.

According to SHI, the floating blue ammonia production facility is a modular structure installed on a floating body offshore to achieve a “dramatic reduction in carbon emissions” and overcome constraints such as lack of land and infrastructure, shortening the construction period.

“With our extensive experience in floating offshore production units and leading guidance on ammonia as a marine fuel, ABS is the ideal partner for this new design from SHI,” said Miguel Hernandez, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Offshore.

“For the green future, ammonia is the most reliable source, recognized as a hydrogen carrier and a carbon-free fuel. This product that was developed with our abundant experience and proprietary technologies will lead energy innovation for humanity,” added Haeki Jang, Chief Technology Officer, Samsung Heavy Industries.

Earlier this month, SHI contracted U.S. science, technology, and engineering company KBR to conduct conceptual study for floating blue ammonia production.

In other recent ammonia-related news, SHI was awarded AiP for its ammonia-fueled 9,300 TEU containership design by classification society Korean Register (KR) during Gastech 2024.