South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Mipo has initiated the construction of a 46,000 cubic meter (cbm) liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier featuring an ammonia dual-fuel engine. The steel-cutting ceremony took place in Ulsan on December 19, 2024. This vessel will be the first of four ammonia-powered ships ordered by Belgian shipping company EXMAR, and it forms part of a larger batch of six dual-fuel LPG/ammonia midsize gas carriers (MGCs) commissioned by EXMAR through its joint venture with Seapeak. These vessels will be managed by EXMAR LPG France.

The ship, once completed, will measure 190 meters in length and 30.4 meters in width. It will be designed with three cargo holds capable of carrying up to 46,000 cubic meters of liquefied gas, including LPG and ammonia. The ship's dual-fuel engine will allow it to run on ammonia, a carbon-free fuel that emits no CO2 when burned, as well as conventional diesel. Additionally, the vessel will incorporate several eco-friendly technologies, such as a shaft generator to produce electricity from the rotating shaft of the propulsion engine and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) device to reduce harmful emissions.

Safety features are a key component of the ship’s design. It will include advanced disaster prevention systems, such as real-time ammonia leak detection sensors, a water spray system to contain external leaks, and an ammonia release mitigation system to ensure the highest levels of safety.

Ammonia, recognized as an environmentally friendly and carbon-free fuel, can be stored either in pressurized tanks at approximately 8 bar or in low-temperature tanks at -33°C, without requiring cryogenic technology. It has a storage density 1.7 times higher than liquefied hydrogen, making it ideal for large-scale, long-distance hydrogen transportation and storage.

HD Hyundai Mipo, which previously delivered the world’s first methanol-powered container carrier in 2023, plans to complete the four EXMAR ammonia-powered ships by 2026. The company aims to lead the next generation of eco-friendly shipbuilding. According to an official from HD Hyundai Mipo, the company will continue to leverage its extensive design and production experience, alongside its synergies with HD Hyundai Shipbuilding affiliates, to secure new technologies and stay ahead of future market trends.

The shipping industry is increasingly turning to ammonia as a viable eco-friendly fuel. At the 80^th Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) meeting in July 2024, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships by 70% by 2040 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, compared to 2008 levels. As a quickly commercializable solution, ammonia is gaining significant attention as a next-generation fuel for the industry.