Lloyd’s Register (LR) has granted Approval in Principle (AiP) for a newly developed ammonia-fueled 3,500 TEU container vessel, a result of a collaborative effort. This innovative design stems from a cross-industry taskforce comprising A. P. Møller-Mærsk, MAN Energy Solutions, Deltamarin, Eltronic FuelTech, LR, and ABS, under the leadership of the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping. This achievement marks a significant milestone in advancing ammonia as an alternative marine fuel.

“In order to unleash the potential of sustainable ammonia as a marine fuel with low emissions, it's imperative to meticulously tackle safety concerns onboard and guarantee a secure and healthy environment for both seafarers and port personnel. The AiP for the new ship design marks a significant milestone, demonstrating that ammonia can be used as a primary fuel within acceptable industry safety standards,” says Claus W. Graugaard, Chief Technology Officer, Onboard Vessel Solutions at the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping. He continues, “The concurrent AiP from both ABS and LR underscores the robustness of the design and the thorough risk assessments and systematic risk management efforts involved. This achievement was made possible by the innovative contributions and knowledge-sharing from all project partners. Collaboration remains the fastest path to developing the prescriptive rules and innovative solutions we need.”

When granting an AiP, classification societies conduct a novel technology evaluation to review all essential aspects of the ship design and ensure overall compliance with relevant rules and regulations.

Next, the remarks on the design will be addressed, and the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping will continue to lead this effort, exploring the extension of the project into a second phase with partners, including a charterer and a ship owner.

“Safety is crucial for the widespread adoption of ammonia as a marine fuel. This AiP highlights a strong cross-sector commitment to turning that ambition into reality,” commented Andy McKeran, Chief Commercial Officer of Lloyd’s Register.

He added, “Our previous collaborations, such as the joint study with the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping and the LR Maritime Decarbonisation Hub on Quantitative Risk Assessment for ammonia ship design, have allowed LR to enhance its expertise as a trusted adviser to the maritime value chain. This has enabled us to prioritize risk mitigation for ammonia vessels in our AiP process.”

Lloyd's Register is a leading provider of classification and compliance services for the marine and offshore industries, assisting clients in safely designing, constructing, operating, extending, and decommissioning their assets while meeting environmental standards.