French organisation Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) will design the fuel tanks for five LNG-fueled container vessels (15,000 CTU each) based on its Mark III, ammonia-ready membrane containment system. Vessel deliveries are scheduled for late 2023 to early 2024.
Ammonia-ready & future-proof
As reported at Ammonia Energy, the Mark III system was given “NH3-ready” classification by Bureau Veritas in February and offers (in GTT’s own words) “greater operational flexibility in case of changes in environmental regulations”. The future owner (Seaspan) and charterer (ZIM) of the vessels both echoed this idea in the official press release:
Seaspan prides itself on being a creative solution provider, and we work very closely with our customers to support their strategies and objectives. In this case, we are excited and proud to support ZIM’s ambitions to operate highly efficient vessels with a very low environmental impact…we are taking a long-term view toward future proofing these vessels.
ZIM as charterer is striving for zero environmental impact in our operations, with special focus on alternative non-polluting fuel use. “Green” ammonia is a potential marine fuel as the shipping industry moves to a zero-carbon future. ZIM feels very proud to be a part of this technical challenge shifting from fossil fuels to renewables.
Torsten Pedersen (COO, Seaspan) & David Arbel (Executive VP & COO, ZIM) in GTT’s press release, 19 July 2021
Big year for ammonia-powered vessel announcements
Already in 2021 we’ve seen multiple announcements (and hit the water dates) for ammonia-powered vessels, including:
- Nutrien & Exmar’s joint venture, due by 2025
- Exmar’s gas carrier (design AiP from Lloyd’s Register)
- Höegh Autoliners’ car-carrier, due by 2023
- Azane Fuel Solution’s floating bunker terminal (due date unspecified)
- Retrofitting of ships in EPS’ existing tanker fleet with MAN’s fuel flexible engines (retrofit engines available 2024)
- Greig Maritime and Wartsila’s tanker, due by 2024
- Viridis Bulk Carriers’ cargo network in northern Europe, first ships due by 2024
- Eneti’s wind-turbine installation vessel, due by 2024
- Kanfer and Oceania Marine Energy’s iron ore carrier vessels (due date unspecified)
- NoGAP’s deep sea vessel (no design or contract, aiming for 2025)
- Korean Register’s AiP for an ammonia bunkering vessel (due date unspecified)
