By Eric Huang      Photo ： william william 

According to the forecast of the International Energy Agency (IEA), by 2050, ammonia will account for about 45% of global shipping energy demand. 

To meet the emission reduction target, set by the IMO by 2030, the shipping industry is constantly seeking advanced designs to help them move towards the goal of reducing emissions, transitioning to alternative fuels, and achieving zero-carbon operations. Shipyards and ship owners are looking for new energy designs that can be certified by classification societies to take the lead in the early stage and become the industry leaders.

Anglo-Eastern Technical Services (AETS) is a technical consulting company specializing in new shipbuilding, modification, shipbuilding, plan approval, inspection, and surveys. It has previously developed a new energy design for an ammonia-fueled Newcastlemax bulker that was granted the Approval in Principle (AIP) of the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). This concept is suitable for dual-fuel ship design that does not sacrifice cargo space required by ABS, and uses deck-mounted IMO C fuel tanks under the cabins on each side, thereby saving cargo space. The AETS report stated that its focus is on a new system for retrofitting existing ships that already use ammonia as fuel and new ships that are ready to use ammonia as fuel.

Bjorn Hojgaard, CEO of Anglo-Eastern Univan Group, stated that the transition to alternative fuels is an inevitable part of the shipping industry’s move towards net-zero emission technologies. Hojgaard added that having in place advanced alternative ship designs of equivalent safety as conventional vessels will facilitate the rate of adaptation. Ammonia is a potential alternative to traditional energy sources, and it continues to make progress as a potential marine fuel. Recognizing the potential of ammonia in the decarbonization of shipping, ABS issued the " Guide for Ammonia-Fueled Vessels", which stipulates the classification design standards for the layout, construction, installation and inspection of the machinery, equipment and systems of ships operating on ammonia as fuel to minimize the risk to the vessel, crew and the environment. According to the forecast of the International Energy Agency (IEA), as a potential leader in the fourth revolution of the shipping industry, by 2050, ammonia will account for about 45% of global shipping energy demand.

At the same time, others in the industry are looking for the possibility of methanol as an alternative energy source, which seems likely to be widely available to the maritime industry faster. ABS also recently awarded an AIP for the design of a medium-range tanker ready for methanol fuel. The AIP is the pinnacle of a five-month joint development project between ABS and K Shipbuilding in South Korea. The project aims to evaluate a series of aspects, including storage, refueling, and methanol corrosive problems. The basic design was reviewed according to the principles of the ABS Guide for Gas and Other Low-Flashpoint Fuel Ready Vessels. After the construction is completed, the ship will be able to claim the ABS Methanol Fuel Ready Notation. “The AIP for methanol fuel-ready medium range tanker design is just the beginning,” said Mr. Tae-Hyun Koh, CTO of K Shipbuilding. " Now we are conducting the research and development on eco-friendly fuel-powered vessels such as LPG, ammonia, and hydrogen to prepare for the future, and we will continue this R&D work."

Soon or later, after these two types of new energy ships are put into operation on a large scale, they will become the most powerful weapon to achieve the IMO's final zero emission target!

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