American Bureau of Shipping grants AIP to Korea Maritime Consultants’ ammonia-fueled vessel

Korea Maritime Consultants (KOMAC) has been awarded approval in principle (AIP) by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for its ammonia-fueled container ship design.

KOMAC believes that there will be an increase in market demand for smaller, ammonia-powered vessels, so its proposed design is for a 3,600-TEU vessel. Due to the complications and challenges of using ammonia on board a vessel, ABS carried out a review and risk assessment of the fuel system during the AIP process to ensure it would be safe and reliable in a real-world application.

“Ammonia offers both significant potential to contribute to shipping’s emissions reduction challenge and significant challenge due to its toxic properties,” said Panos Koutsourakis, ABS vice president, global sustainability. “ABS is leading the industry in developing solutions to this safety challenge and supporting first movers like KOMAC to take advantage of ammonia’s zero-carbon potential.”

“KOMAC offers Korea’s best engineering and technology services for shipbuilding,” added Lee Sung-Ryong, head of KOMAC’s think tank. “By providing these services to international and domestic small and medium-sized shipyards, we are supporting the revitalization of these important facilities.”

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