GTT obtains first AiP for NH3 membrane containment system

The award of the NH3 Ready classification recognised that GTT’s Mark III system was suitable for the containment of ammonia in LNG as fuel applications without any major design changes.

The company noted that a compatibility assessment with ammonia has been carried out for the primary barrier of Mark III technology over the course of the AIP study, demonstrating that the technology was suitable for ammonia’s specific properties. As ammonia has a greater gravimetric density than LNG, a test campaign was conducted to determine the level of reinforcement required for the containment system.

The award is consistent with GTT’s strategic long-term approach to developing solutions to meet client requirements before customer demands materialise.

Philippe Berterottière, Chairman and CEO of GTT, commented that: “GTT targets bringing increased flexibility to ship-owners required to adapt as well and as quickly as possible to an ever changing fuel world. While we are convinced that LNG is the solution of choice for cleaning-up ship emissions even further, we have to take into consideration that ammonia, coming from green hydrogen, could bring additional reductions in emissions. In offering ammonia compatibility, we open the perspective to owners of a much longer period for ship amortization.”

Matthieu de Tugny, President, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, commended GTT for obtaining the first approval for an ammonia membrane containment system. M. de Tugny added: “Bureau Veritas is helping the industry prepare for the future fuel landscape. It is therefore exciting to support GTT in their continued journey of innovation. Our role is to help the industry understand – and address – both risk and opportunity as we look for energy transition solutions.”

Alongside the NH3 ready award, Bureau Veritas awarded a higher design pressure of “1 barg” in LNG as fuel applications. The award represents the culmination of a process of modifying containment designs to be adapted to the operational profile of new vessel types using LNG as a fuel, such as large container vessels. GTT noted that the AiP offers shipowners more flexibility in the selection of fuel tanks operations.