ClassNK to award ammonia-fuel safety accreditation

In Japan, NYK Line announced ClassNK is set to award the world’s first “Machinery Room Safety for Ammonia” accreditation to an ammonia-fueled medium gas carrier, under development by a consortium including Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha and Nihon Shipyard. This certification marks a significant advancement in the safety of ammonia as a marine fuel, a crucial step given ammonia’s potential as a zero-carbon ship propulsion method.

The AFMGC project, part of Japan’s Green Innovation Fund initiative, aims to tackle one of the most significant hurdles in ammonia fuel use: its toxicity. Through rigorous risk assessments and innovative design strategies, the consortium has developed measures to minimize ammonia leakage and exposure within the machinery spaces of ships.

This certification by ClassNK confirms that the vessel adheres to the highest safety standards, setting a benchmark for future developments in the industry. The project’s progress and the insights gained from its certification process are poised to propel the adoption of ammonia fuel across the global shipping industry.