Ammonia-fueled vessels: shipyard orders and new concepts

Part 1: shipyard orders and construction

Eastern Pacific Shipping: newbuild ammonia-fueled vessels to fly the Singaporean flag

In September last year, Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) announced a collaboration with MAN Energy Solutions, Hyundai Heavy Industries and the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), along with classification societies ABS and Lloyd’s Register, to develop an ammonia engine to be used in EPS’ new fleet.

Seven months later, through the signing of MoUs with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the same classification societies, EPS has earmarked six of those newbuilds, set to be delivered in 2026, to be registered with the Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS). The agreement (signed at the recent Singapore Maritime Week event) will also see the parties collaborate on the development of ammonia bunkering and seafarer training. The parties will also work together towards the establishment of the Maritime Energy Training Facility by 2026 to support crew training on low emission fuels and related technologies.

As optimism grows on the transportation of ammonia following the continued expansion of ammonia production capabilities worldwide, we must recognise fundamentally that crew safety is of paramount importance. This collaboration cements our commitment to work with key industry stakeholders to address challenges and strive to lead the safe transportation of zero- and near-zero emission fuels like ammonia and its adoption as a marine fuel.

Cyril Ducau, CEO at EPS, in the MPA’s official press release, 17 April 2024

The delivery of EPS’ ammonia dual-fuel newbuilds from 2026 gives strong confidence on the use of ammonia as a marine fuel. It will help accelerate efforts to develop the value chain and infrastructure required and the training of the workforce to be ready to safely handle ammonia as a fuel.  We look forward to working with EPS, and other like-minded partners, on the concrete steps to advance the decarbonisation of international shipping.

Teo Eng Dih, MPA CEO, in his organisation’s official press release, 17 April 2024

EPS: dual-fuel bulk carriers incoming

Relatedly, EPS recently ordered four 210,000 dwt ammonia dual-fuel bulk carriers from CSSC Beihai Shipbuilding to expand its fleet of low-carbon vessels. The order also includes two 111,000 dwt LNG dual-fuel oil tankers with CSSC Guangzhou Shipbuilding International.

Trafigura: four midsize gas carriers from South Korea

Trafigura has signed a contract for four medium gas carriers, to be built at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Ulsan, South Korea. Equipped with dual fuel engines, the vessels will carry LPG or ammonia, with the first ship to be delivered in 2027.

We are excited to embark together with HD Hyundai Mipo on this ambitious project which supports our commitments to decarbonising shipping and will help us to develop the global low-carbon ammonia bunkering infrastructure needed for zero-carbon shipping to become a reality.

Andrea Olivi, Head of Wet Freight for Trafigura in his organisation’s official press release, 2 May 2024

K LINE & partners: ammonia-fueled Newcastlemax bulk carriers

Also at Singapore Maritime Week, a consortium including K Line, ITOCHU, Nihon Shipyard, MAN Energy Solutions (MAN ES), and Mitsui E&S has reached an agreement to jointly develop and construct ammonia- fuelled ships.

The partners plan to build 200,000 dwt, Newcastlemax-size bulk carriers at Nihon Shipyard, equipped with MAN ES ammonia engines built by Mitsui E&S in Japan. The partnership will begin as a pilot, with the operational results of informing the commercial development of the ammonia-fuelled engines and ships. This will mark the first deployment of MAN’s ammonia engines onboard a vessel.

In the collaboration, ITOCHU and K LINE will lead the crew development and ship management for the carriers, including key and operational data collection. Mitsui E&S will lead the manufacturing of the engines in Japan.

MISC: ammonia dual-fuel Aframaxes

Through its petroleum arm AET, Malaysian shipping giant MISC has signed Time Charter Party Contracts with PETCO Trading Labuan Company Ltd to develop two ammonia dual-fuel Aframaxes. Shipbuilding Contracts for these two vessels have been signed with the CSSC subsidiary Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company.

Today’s signing of the Time Charter Party Contracts and the Shipbuilding Contracts is a clear testament of turning ambition into action. These partnerships seamlessly align with our collective vision of driving meaningful and purposeful change globally as we progress towards a net-zero future. With the signing of these contracts, we’re not only advancing sustainable practices but accelerating our journey towards the MISC Group’s 2030 aspirations.

Captain Rajalingam Subramaniam, MISC President and CEO, in his organisation’s official press release, 19 April 2024

Part 2: vessel concepts

MOL Coastal Shipping: large coastal ammonia carrier

Plans have been unveiled for a joint concept study focusing on a large coastal ammonia carrier. MOL Coastal Shipping (MOL), Asahi Tanker, and IKOUS will collaborate on the vessel concept, which will be launched by 2028-2029. The collaboration will focus on the potential for large-volume single ammonia transportation.

Currently, ammonia is transported in coastal vessels with a capacity of about 1,000 m³ in Japan (and indeed, globally). This study will consider vessels with ten times higher capacity which, it is thought, would increase shipping efficiency and address seafarer shortages, an important challenge for the maritime industry as it moves towards new fuels.

Other key focus areas of the study include safety and stability, smooth cargo handling, labour saving, crew well-being, among other aspects. The study’s key objectives are summarised to the left.

Ammonia-fueled salmon fishing vessel

And in Norway, North Salmon Service has selected HAV Design to develop an ammonia-fueled fishing wellboat. The vessel will be equipped with a dual-fuel engine. The pair have been awarded financial support from Enova, and will embark on a six-month concept study.

We look forward to collaborating with North Salmon Service to realise their exiting wellboat plans and pave the way for zero emission shipping in the fish farming industry.

Jan Magne Goksøyr, VP Sales at HAV Design in his organisation’s official press release, 1 Dec 2023