Ammonia-ready vessels: new contracts & deliveries in China
By on February 07, 2022
Delivered: the Kriti Future
The Suezmax-class Kriti Future has been delivered to owners Avin International this week. Built by New Times Shipbuilding in China, the 274m long vessel is currently fueled by heavy fuel oil, but meets all requirements for conversion to run on ammonia or LNG (as set out by the American Bureau of Shipping in their Guide for Gas and Other Low-Flashpoint Fuel Ready Vessels, pdf available to download).
This vessel represents a milestone in the development of the maritime industry and a step forward in the readiness to utilize alternative marine fuels. ABS’ alternative fuel ready suite of guidance and qualification programs is designed to give owners the flexibility they need and help prepare for a future in which alternative fuels such as ammonia take a bigger role.
Filippos Nikolatsopoulos, ABS Manager, Greece Business Development in the official press release, 4 Feb 2022
Construction contract signed: Höegh Autoliners & China Merchants Heavy Industry
Höegh has contracted China Merchants Heavy Industry to build their new vessel design: the multi-fuel, ammonia-ready Aurora-class car carrier. Under the contract terms four vessels are guaranteed (two to be delivered late 2024, two in early 2025), with options for another eight vessels.
The new builds will meet requirements for DNV GL’s methanol and ammonia-ready notation guides. Initially, the Aurora-class’ multi-fuel engine will run on heavy marine oil and LNG. With modifications, the vessel can transition to use alternative including ammonia or methanol.
Order placed: MSC & Dalian Shipbuilding
And Swiss-based shipping giant MSC has placed an order for six dual-fuel, container ships from Dalian Shipbuilding in China. These 16,000 TEU vessels will be powered by WinGD dual fuel engines. As reported already at Ammonia Energy, WinGD is aiming to have its to have retrofit options for its two engine product lines ready by 2024/5, enabling them to run on methanol and ammonia fuel. Dalian indicates that the vessels will meet all requirements for the American Bureau of Shipping’s EEDI phase III index, but did not specify whether ABS ammonia-ready guidelines would be met.
DSIC has been a leader in terms of the green development for global reduction of carbon emission, and has determined jointly the “ammonia fuel ready” plan with the shipowner. Thus, this series of vessels has become the first batch of super-large duel-fuel container vessel with “ammonia fuel ready” in the world, which has enabled the upgrade to “zero carbon vessel” in future, and has set up a new benchmark for the new generation of green and environmental-friendly vessels. DSIC has been implementing its high-quality development strategy with its actions.
Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company’s press release, 22 Jan 2022