First ammonia-ready containerships delivered
By on June 26, 2023
Compagnie Maritime Belge
The Belgium-based shipping company received delivery of the CMA CGM Masai Mara in May, the first of six ammonia-ready containerships being built by Qingdao Shipyard in China. As reported by Maritime Executive, the 77,000 DWT vessel has already been operating under charter to the CMA CGM Group, and is powered by twin MAN B&W G80ME 9.2 dual-fuel engines. The report notes that this vessel is designated as “ammonia ready”, but it is unclear what conversions will need to take place, or which class society the designation falls under. Commercial retrofits for the MAN B&W engine to run on ammonia fuel will be available by 2024.
American Bureau of Shipping
Also the first in a series of six ammonia-ready containerships to be built in China, the ALS CERES was delivered to ABS in Singapore at the end of May. Designed by Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI) and built by Dalian Shipbuilding, the vessel will be chartered and operated by Asiatic Lloyd Maritime. The vessel is designated with the ABS Ammonia Fuel Ready Level 1C and Methanol Fuel Ready Level 1C Class notations, meaning that:
…the geometry and structural arrangements of the vessel can physically encompass the necessary equipment and the safety elements associated with tank location and that the hazardous areas can be accommodated in compliance with Part 5C, Chapter 13 of the Marine Vessel Rules.
Guide for Gas and Other Low-Flashpoint Fuel Ready Vessels (ABS, March 2022)
Announcements about the retrofits required onboard the ALS Ceres for the use of ammonia & methanol fuel will be made at a later date.
The ALS CERES is a great example of how the maritime industry is implementing energy-efficient technologies to meet global decarbonization targets. The successful conclusion of the project is a testament to the dedication and efforts of the ABS China Engineering and Survey Operation teams that supported this project and worked together to deliver this state-of-the-art vessel for the next generation.
Pier Carazzai, ABS Vice President of Engineering Europe and Middle East in his organisation’s official press release, 8 June 2023