ABS, MAN & SDARI Join Forces To Develop Ammonia-Fueled Low-Emission Container Ship

ABS, MAN & SDARI Join Forces To Develop Ammonia-Fueled Low-Emission Container Ship

For the design of a low emission feeder container vessel that is being developed by MAN Energy Solutions (MAN) and the Shanghai Merchant Ship Design & Research Institute (SDARI), ABS will suggest considerations related to compliance and safety.

According to the joint development project that was signed in a ceremony at MARINTEC China, the goal is to build designs for the Chittagongmax container carrier of 2700 TEU capacity which will be fueled by ammonia.

“Ammonia is an energy source with significant potential to help the industry meet IMO 2030 and 2050 emission targets but will require stringent new safety standards to be developed in order to support its adoption,” said Dr. Xiaozhi (Christina) Wang, ABS Vice President, Global Marine. “This innovative project is typical of how ABS is working with leading partners across the world to support the development of next-generation fuel solutions for shipping.”

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The ship will be designed and engineered by SDARI, the dual fuel technology of MAN will be used and ABS will be responsible to look after the safety related issues and will contribute for the development of rules and standards relating to the usage of ammonia as a fuel.

The first phase of the JDP is the development of a conceptual design. The second phase is to collaborate with owners for the development of designs specifically made according to their operational needs.

“Building upon SDARI’s experience in feeder container vessels, we are actively seeking to develop next-generation designs that incorporate strategies to meet IMO 2030 and 2050 targets,” said Mr. Zhiyong Zhou, SDARI Vice President.

Bjarne Foldager, Senior Vice President, Head of Two-Stroke Business at MAN Energy Solutions, said: “The development of ships with low greenhouse-gas emissions fits well with the strategy of MAN Energy Solutions’ two-stroke portfolio, which has offered engines that can burn low- or zero-carbon fuels for many years. 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. Ammonia can be seen as a potential future energy-carrier of renewable primary energy sources such as wind, hydro or solar.”

Ammonia that is generated from renewable sources of energy has no carbon footprint and almost no CO2, SOx or particulate matter is emitted when burnt in engines.

Reference: Eagle