Japan’s K Line is aiming to have an ammonia-fuelled newcastlemax bulker in the water in 2026.
The shipowner is working with compatriot owner NS United on the project for the 200,000-dwt ship, which has now won approval in principle (AiP) from class society NKK.
Itochu Corp, Nihon Shipyard and Mitsui E&S Machinery are also involved in the work.
The bulker was developed by Nihon Shipyard as part of an integrated project adopted by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) in 2021.
“At this time, there are no international guidelines for the use of ammonia as marine fuel, so K Line and partners are looking toward obtaining alternative design approval for construction,” the company said.
Ships designed in accordance with ClassNK guidelines may use ammonia as a marine fuel if they are approved by “competent authorities” in accordance with the SOLAS Convention (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea), the owner added.
A risk assessment was recently conducted on the safety of using ammonia, and the basic design of the vessel was evaluated as “capable of ensuring the same level of safety as ships operating with existing fuel”.
The acquisition of the AiP is an important milestone for the implementation of ammonia-fueled ships, a new challenge for the maritime industry, the owner said.
Mitsui OSK Lines and NYK Line are also both pushing forward separate projects to put ammonia-fuelled ships into operation within this decade.
In January, a group of leading Japanese shipbuilders completed a design for an ammonia-fuelled panamax bulk carrier.
The design was granted AiP from ClassNK.
The 80,400-dwt prototype comes fitted with two 2,500-cbm ammonia fuel tanks and will have a service speed of 14.2 knots.
