GTT to deliver ammonia-ready fuel tanks for container vessels

By Julian Atchison on September 01, 2021

Workers inspect the inside of an ammonia-ready, Mark III fuel tank.
Click to learn more. Workers inspect the inside of an ammonia-ready, Mark III fuel tank. Source: GTT.

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: