AiP granted for China’s first ammonia-powered Newcastlemax

In 2019, LR issued the concept design AiP to DSIC for the ammonia-powered ‘C-Future’ 23,000 TEU ultra large container ship. “Now we have an AiP for a 210,000 dwt bulk carrier, capable of being powered by ammonia, a leading zero-carbon shipping fuel. It’s further evidence of DSIC working together with its customers for a zero-carbon future,” said Guan Yinghua, Deputy Chief Designer, DSIC.

Li Tianxiang, Vice President and General Manager of Shanghai Technical Support Office, LR Greater China, said: “This is an exciting project, not only for LR who has had many firsts in this area, but for DSIC as this is the first design of its kind and shows its commitment to a transition to zero-carbon fuels. The award of this AiP is another important step toward the decarbonisation of the maritime industry, showing the feasibility of powering commercial vessels with zero-carbon solutions in the near future. I congratulate everyone involved for their cooperation and hard work.”

LR is part of a multinational coalition committed to making zero emissions shipping a reality through the development of ammonia-fuelled tankers, the Castor initiative. Other members are Jurong Port in Singapore, MISC Berhad, Samsung Heavy Industries, MAN Energy Solutions, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and Yara International.

In early April, LR, Samsung Heavy Industries and MISC via its subsidiary, AET, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development and construction of two very large crude carriers (VLCCs) which can be operated on green ammonia, a zero-emission fuel.

In 2020, LR awarded Samsung Heavy Industries AiP for its ammonia-fuelled Aframax tanker design. Following the AiP, the shipyard confirmed plans to commercialise an ammonia-fuelled Aframax design as well as its own ammonia fuel gas supply system from 2024.

Also in 2020, LR granted an AiP to Hyundai Mipo Dockyard for its concept design of an ammonia-fuelled 50,000dwt MR tanker carrier.