Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co (DSIC) has used the Marintec exhibition in Shanghai to showcase a concept for an ammonia-fuelled 23,000-teu containership.
Tuesday saw the Chinese shipbuilder receive approval in principle (AIP) from Lloyd’s Register for the design which is also being developed with MAN Energy Solutions.
The three companies said the project marked the first “ammonia as fuel” design of its kind in China.
“DSIC has developed the concept of the zero-carbon emission ULCV cooperating with MAN Energy Solution and Lloyd’s Register,” said DSIC president Yang Zhizhong.
“The C-FUTURE solution is another pioneering initiative of DSIC on the development of green ships and clean energy applications.”
Yang said DSIC would continue to strengthen its cooperation with domestic and international partners, to develop environmentally friendly and efficient new ship types.
“Enabling vessels to operate with low emissions has been an aim of MAN Energy Solutions’ two-stroke portfolio for many years,” said Bjarne Foldager, head of the engine builder’s two-stroke business.
“We continuously introduce engines capable of operating on such clean fuels as LNG, methanol and ethanol.
“As such, low-speed marine engines are already the most efficient propulsion system for trans-oceanic shipping, making them the de-facto, standard powertrain for commercial vessels.
“In this respect, developing ships fuelled by ammonia makes perfect sense as it has the potential in the future to be created from renewable, primary-energy sources such as wind, hydro or solar.”
Mark Darley, LR North Asia President, commented: “This is an exciting project, not only for LR, but for the Chinese market as this is the first design of its kind and shows the country’s commitment to shipping’s decarbonisation journey.
“The global shipping community is facing the challenges associated with the IMO’s GHG ambitions, this is the first step in exploring and testing low carbon alternatives such as ammonia.”
