First AiP for Ammonia Floating Storage and Regasification Barge design

The A-FSRB jointly developed by NYK Line, NSY, and IHI is an offshore floating facility that can receive and store ammonia that has been transported via ship as a liquid, warm and regasify ammonia according to demand, and then send it to a pipeline onshore. According to the three companies, the A-FSRB offers the advantages of shorter construction time and lower costs by comparison with the construction of onshore storage tanks and regasification plants.

ClassNK carried out the design review of the A-FSRB in line with its Part PS of Rules for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships and Guidelines for Floating Offshore Facilities for LNG/LPG Production, Storage, Offloading and Regasification. Currently, there are no international regulations for floating storage and regasification facilities when the cargo is ammonia, and it is expected that the unique requirements of ammonia will have to be reflected in the design.

Therefore, the companies and ClassNK conducted a comprehensive risk identification of various contingencies and worked to identify technical issues from the initial study stage. The risk identification was conducted using the gap analysis method, which identified differences between conventional ships and offshore floating facilities (heavy oil, LNG, etc.) and evaluated the impact of such differences. Based on its review and the risk identification results, ClassNK issued the AiP for the A-FSRB. 

ClassNK will actively continue to take part in advanced initiatives toward decarbonisation and also support the decarbonisation of the entire industry by incorporating the knowledge gained through collaboration with front runners into rules and guidelines.