Ammonia-Fueled Container Feeder Design Marks Progress in Maritime Decarbonisation

A major advancement in ammonia-powered shipping has been achieved with the release of a concept design for a 3,500 TEU ammonia-fueled container feeder vessel. The design was developed through a collaborative effort involving several key maritime stakeholders, including the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS), Maersk, Deltamarin, Eltronic FuelTech, Everllence, Lloyd’s Register, The Decarb Hub, and the American Bureau of Shipping.

The joint initiative aims to address core questions surrounding the feasibility of ammonia as a marine fuel, focusing on critical technical and safety design parameters required to move from conceptual discussions to practical deployment.

Design Prioritises Safety and Technical Viability

The project examined essential factors such as fuel tank capacity, optimal component placement and, most importantly, safety barriers needed to protect onboard personnel. Key safety features in the design include the physical segregation of ammonia spaces, safe venting configurations, dedicated drainage systems, water curtain installations and an ammonia release management system.

Deltamarin led the vessel’s design work, incorporating these safety measures while maintaining operational efficiency. The proposed layout was reviewed through detailed safety assessments including hazard identification (HAZID), hazard and operability study (HAZOP), and quantitative risk assessment (QRA).

Following these evaluations, the concept design received Approvals in Principle from both the American Bureau of Shipping and Lloyd’s Register, signalling its technical readiness and alignment with regulatory safety standards.

Collaborative Approach Underscores Industry Commitment

Evangelos Fragkoulis, Head of Ship Design at MMMCZCS, noted that the project represents a meaningful step toward addressing the real-world engineering challenges associated with ammonia as a fuel.

“By applying a transparent, design-led process, we have demonstrated that ammonia can be safely integrated into vessel operations when supported by robust engineering and safety practices,” said Fragkoulis. “This concept design helps build confidence across the maritime industry by offering actionable insights and reducing uncertainty.”

Peter Kondratjeff, Project Manager and Naval Architect at Deltamarin, highlighted the strength of the cross-sector collaboration, stating, “This was a valuable opportunity to work with leading partners on a design that meets high safety expectations. The extensive risk analysis provided a strong foundation for future fuel system development and vessel optimisation.”

Pathway to Practical Implementation

The initiative serves as a significant contribution toward the broader decarbonisation of global shipping. It underscores the importance of ship design in advancing alternative fuel readiness and pinpoints areas that require further attention to support commercial deployment.

By moving beyond theoretical discussions and delivering a technically validated design, the project offers a concrete reference point for future ammonia-fueled vessel development.

Tags: Ammonia Fuel, Green Shipping, Maritime Decarbonisation, Ship Designs, sustainable Shipping
Share with your friends