ClassNK awards world’s first AiP for H2-fuelled 2-stroke vessel design

The design for the multi-purpose vessel, which features a parcel layout concept, was developed by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), MOL Drybulk Ltd. (MOL Drybulk), Onomichi Dockyard Co., Ltd. (Onomichi Dockyard), Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Kawasaki) as well as J-ENG.

The project partners confirmed plans to construct a vessel based on this design at Onomichi Dockyard in Japan. The vessel will be ordered by MOL, and operated by MOL’s subsidiary, MOL Drybulk.

The vessel is expected to begin operations as a demonstration project by April 2027 (the beginning of Japan’s financial year 2027). The vessel will then be operated as a demonstration project for a two year period to permit partners to gain operational experience of operating a dual-fuel engine on hydrogen. The demonstration phase of the project will form part of Japan’s Development of marine hydrogen engines and MHFS project, which is receiving financial support under the Green Innovation Funding Program operated by Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation (NEDO).

The project partners also confirmed that J-ENG’s first large low-speed two-stroke hydrogen-fuelled engine will be installed in the vessel by April 2026 (the beginning of FY2026).

The vessels will also feature a hydrogen fuel supply system and fuel tank provided by Kawasaki. The vessel will be the first oceangoing vessel to be propelled by a two-stroke dual-fuel hydrogen engine, which will allow for close to zero emissions trading when using hydrogen as fuel.

ClassNK carried out a review of a parcel layout concept for the marine hydrogen fuel supply and fuel tank system based on its rules including part GF of its “Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships” incorporating the IGF Code and risk assessment results through Pre-HAZID. Upon confirming they comply with the prescribed requirements, ClassNK issued the AiP.

The Pre-HAZID meeting was held on 28-29 June 2023, bringing together the five project partners with ClassNK and the National Maritime Research Institute (NMRI), and Japan’s National Institute of Maritime, Port and Aviation Technology. The parties completed identification of the risks and issues to be considered in further design for the parcel layout concept of liquefied hydrogen fuel tank and fuel supply system, and confirmed that the design of the vessel can proceed further based on the current parcel layout.