MOL, Sasaki Shipbuilding win AiP for ammonia bunkering vessel design

Bureau Veritas (BV) has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an ammonia (NH3) bunkering vessel designed by Japan’s Sasaki Shipbuilding, with the support of Japanese shipping major Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL).

BV and MOL have been studying the potential of ammonia bunkering since 2022, creating a foundation for this AiP. MOL invited Sasaski to design the 12,000 cbm NH3 bunkering vessel based on BV’s rules.

Specifically, the design is based on a joint study of ammonia bunkering rules between MOL and BV.

For the purposes of this AiP, BV reviewed Sasaki’s design with consideration to its NR 620 Rules for bunkering ships and NR 467 Rules for the classification of steel ships. The ship is also eligible for BV’s CLEANSHIP and GREENPASSPORT additional class notations.

To remind, in September last year, Bureau Veritas set up a renewable ammonia scheme to assure safe, sustainable ammonia production from renewable energy.

Earlier on, MOL received approvals in principle from ClassNK for the design of a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) for ammonia and the design of a large ammonia-powered bulk carrier.

Global interest in ammonia as a next-generation clean energy source is growing, and the maritime industry is accelerating its efforts to strategically utilize it as a fuel. That is why the role of alternative fuels in powering the low-carbon economy will dramatically increase volumes of renewable ammonia, outstripping growing volumes of renewable methanol, according to the UK-based research and consultancy firm Maritime Strategies International (MSI).

• MOL receives AiP for ammonia FSRU design from ClassNK
• MOL and Mitsui get green light for large ammonia-powered bulker
• Ammonia beats methanol as MSI predicts increased demand