ClassNK issues specific safety requirements for ammonia-fuelled ships

It was reported early in July from Tokyo that  ClassNK has released its Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels (Edtion 2.0) which sets forth safety requirements for ships fuelled by methanol, ethanol, LPG, and ammonia. In particular, specific requirements for ammonia-fuelled ships have been added to provide guidance for the design of alternative-fuelled ships, it is understood.

These guidelines comprehensively describe safety requirements for methanol, ethanol, and ammonia-fuelled ships. Taking into account the risks posed by the use of alternative fuels against ships, crews, and the environment, they specify requirements for installation, controls, and safety devices to minimise those risks.

The recently published Edition 2.0 reflects the ClassNK’s expertise for ammonia, which is toxic to humans and corrosive to materials, gained through R&D in partnership with the industry and its design review experiences based on the guidelines.

Specific requirements, including isolation distances from areas where there is a risk of ammonia release to areas that should be protected, and safety design concepts to design engines and boilers using ammonia fuel have been added to ensure the safety of ammonia-fuelled ships.

These guidelines are available to download via Guidelines of ClassNK’s website for those who have registered for the ClassNK My Page to be found in the right hand column here:

https://www.classnk.com/hp/en/index.html

Pic caption with credit:

In mid-July ClassNK issued an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an ammonia-fuelled tugboat (A-Tug) jointly developed by Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line) and IHI Power Systems Co., Ltd. 

Ammonia is expected to be used as ship fuel for decarbonisation since it does not emit CO2 when combusted. Meanwhile, adequate safety measures are imperative as it is known that ammonia is toxic to humans and corrosive to materials.

                                                                                                                                                                              Illustration courtesy of NYK Line ©.