Mitsui OSK Lines is moving forward with its design for an ammonia-powered large size bulker.
Shipping giant and trading house Mitsui & Co has secured approval in principle for the design of a “highly versatile” 210,000-dwt ammonia-powered newcastlemax from classification society ClassNK.
“Amid the trend toward decarbonisation, global interest in ammonia as a next-generation clean energy source is growing, and the maritime industry is accelerating its efforts to strategically utilise it as a fuel,” said MOL.
“As expectations for ammonia as a marine fuel increase, MOL and Mitsui will promote the expansion of net-zero emission oceangoing vessels and play a role in society’s overall efforts to achieve decarbonisation.”
MOL said the size and specifications for the large bulk carrier were jointly determined with Mitsui. The design of the ship was developed by domestic shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).
“The design calls for a main engine fuelled by ammonia, which emits no CO2 when burned, thereby achieving zero CO2 emissions during the voyage,” said the shipping company.
MOL added that the bulk carrier will also feature two ammonia fuel tanks on deck to maximise the cruising range for various routes and to make the most effective use of cargo space.
ClassNK is scheduled to conduct a risk assessment on the ship’s design to confirm that no unacceptable risks exist at the basic design stage and to identify items to be considered in the detailed design.
MOL aims to deploy net-zero emission deepsea vessels this decade and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
In November 2021, MOL teamed up with Japan’s Namura Shipbuilding on the joint development of a large-size ammonia carrier, which can also be powered by ammonia-based fuels.
The company forecasts annual demand for ammonia in Japan will reach 3m tonnes by 2030 and 30m tonnes by 2050.
Shipbuilding sources think MHI will not build the ammonia-powered newcastlemax as the shipyard has been scaling down its shipbuilding production in Japan and is only focusing on building ferries at its Shimonoseki Shipyard.
MHI’s Nagasaki-based shipyard is carrying out ship repairs and has no orders, while its main yard Koyagi was sold to Oshima Shipbuilding.
