Onboard ammonia risk study

The ‘Recommendations for Design an Operation of Ammonia-Fuelled Vessels based on Multi-disciplinary Risk Analysis’ was undertaken by the Lloyd’s Register (LR) Maritime Decarbonisation Hub and the Maersk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS).

The study looked at three vessels – a container ship, tanker and bulk carrier – to determine which design and operational measures were needed to reduce the risks of ammonia to acceptable levels.

“To enable sustainable and scalable new energy pathways such as ammonia as a marine fuel, we must advance technological developments,” said Claus Winter Graugaard, chief technology officer, Onboard Vessel Solutions, MMMCZCS.

“However, in the eagerness to transform, we must do so without compromising safety and reliability, by employing a strong risk-based change management approach,” he added.

Recommendations include:

• Lower storage temperatures to reduce safety risk
• Provision for two or more separate spaces containing different groups of equipment that could leak ammonia
• Monitoring and minimising of access to and length of time spent in spaces containing ammonia equipment
• Ventilation outlets from spaces containing ammonia equipment placed in a safe location, adequately separated from areas accessed by crew
• Installation of multiple sensors of different types to detect ammonia leaks

The report also highlights the need for training, standardised procedures and safe work practices such as the use of personal protective equipment.

“The global energy transition drives a move from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources, which inevitably brings about new safety challenges and the need for shipping to manage more complex hazards,” said Dr Andy Franks, senior decarbonisation risk specialist, LR Maritime Decarbonisation Hub.

“Our approach to understanding and mitigating the risks of ammonia as a shipping fuel incorporates both a quantitative data-driven approach to ship design as well as a human factors approach to address crew safety,” he added.