HHI obtains AiP from ABS for ammonia-based ship system

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) for its new ammonia-based ship HVAC refrigeration system.

Developed in response to shipowners’ request for refrigeration of HVAC systems using ammonia, Hyundai’s system offers a more eco-friendly solution with zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and a Global Warming Potential of zero, as per the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

Panos Koutsourakis, ABS’ Vice-President of Global Sustainability, described the refrigeration system as an “exciting development” for the maritime industry’s decarbonisation quest to find sustainable solutions.

He continued, “ABS has always been a safety pioneer, so we are well placed to tackle the challenges on board and ashore presented by ammonia’s toxicity and flammability. ABS is committed to leading the industry in supporting ammonia’s safe adoption at sea.”

ABS used its marine vessel rules to conduct technical suitability reviews of the designs, materials, fire and personnel safety equipment, piping, electrical, operations tests and risk assessments.

Hwan-Sik Lee, Head of the Ship Design Office at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, said the company will continue to make efforts to realise maritime carbon neutrality.

In support of a decarbonised sector, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) wants to reach Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping close to 2050, a commitment to ensure an uptake of alternative zero and near-zero greenhouse gas fuels by 2030.