As ammonia continues to gain traction as one of the potential zero-carbon fuels for shipping, the development of bunkering vessels that will supply these next-generation ships is also pressing ahead.
Japan’s Mitsubishi Shipbuilding, part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), has completed a conceptual study for an ammonia bunker ship in collaboration with Japanese energy major Inpex.
The shipbuilder stated that it used its knowledge of ammonia carriers to advance conceptual considerations for a highly flexible vessel with sufficient tank capacity, ship maneuverability, and bunkering equipment that ensures compatibility with various ammonia-fueled vessels, an area in which Japan has expressed a keen interest in taking the commercial lead.
Plans call for additional technical studies before bringing the vessel to market with the help of maritime-related companies, though no timetable has been set.
Last year, Japanese owners Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK) displayed their ammonia bunker vessels. MOL and compatriot trading house Itochu received preliminary approval from the American class society ABS for the vessel designed in collaboration with Sembcorp Marine Integrated Yard, while NYK received approval from compatriot ClassNK, the class society’s first for so-called ABVs.
MOL’s ABV was developed as part of a joint development study on the ammonia fuel supply chain in Singapore, the world’s largest bunkering hub, where several other projects to develop such ships are in the works.
