Sponsored By

LR grants AiP to HD KSOE’s ammonia fuel supply system

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has concluded a joint development project with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) with the award of Approval in Principle (AiP) to its ammonia fuel supply system.

Michele Labrut, Americas Correspondent

June 25, 2024

2 Min Read
hd ksoe
LR/HD KSOE

The approval certifies the fuel supply system against LR’s risk-based certification process and marks the conclusion of a joint development project between LR and HD KSOE which began in April 2024. 

The joint development project aimed to develop and refine the design concept of an ammonia fuel supply system for ammonia-fuelled vessels, and the AiP takes the product a step closer to installation in ammonia-powered ships. The newly developed ammonia fuel supply system shows complete compatibility with high-efficiency cargo handling systems and ammonia engines, said LR.

Ammonia is one of the fuels being explopred by the shipping industry to meet its ambition of net zero emissions by 2050. The production of green ammonia using renewable energy has the potential to create zero-emission fuels, although the current dominant method of producing grey ammonia from fossil fuels is a carbon intensive process. Adoption of ammonia as a marine fuel has raised safety concerns in the industry, as ammonia is a toxic substance.

HD KSOE separately unveiled an integrated scrubber technology for ammonia-powered ships to address some of those safety concerns. According to HD KSOE, the integrated scrubber is an eco-friendly technology that absorbs emitted ammonia on two separate occasions, reducing emissions to nearly zero. The company emphasised that when applying these systems to ammonia-powered ships, even fine leakages can be detected in real-time, preventing accidents from occurring in advance.

Related:MAN and Eastern Pacific Shipping team up on ammonia training

“This approval in principle represents another significant step for developing the technology required for shipowners and operators’ adoption of ammonia, one of the primary candidate fuels for the maritime energy transition. We are pleased to continue our strong working relationship with HD KSOE through this joint project that will provide a valuable solution for ammonia propelled ships,” Young-Doo Kim, Global Technical Support Office Representative for Korea, Lloyd’s Register said.

“Ammonia is a zero-carbon fuel that is attracting great attention in terms of economics and supply stability. HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering will lead the field of eco-friendly equipment and materials to take the lead in commercialising ammonia in 2025,” Young-jun Nam, Vice Present & COO of HD KSOE said.

 

About the Author

Michele Labrut

Americas Correspondent

Michèle Labrut is a long-time Panama resident, a journalist and correspondent, and has continuously covered the maritime sector of Central & Latin America.

Michèle first came to Panama as a press attaché to the French Embassy and then returned to the isthmus as a foreign correspondent in the 1980s.

Author of Seatrade Maritime's annual Panama Maritime Review magazine and of several books, Michèle also wrote for Time magazine, The Miami Herald, NBC News and the Economist Intelligence Unit. She has also collaborated in making several documentaries for the BBC and European and U.S. television networks.

Michèle's profession necessitates a profound knowledge of the country, but her acumen is not from necessity alone, but a genuine passion for Panama.

In 2012 she was awarded the Order of Merit (Knight grade) by the French Government for her services to international journalism and in 2021 the upgrade to Chevalier grade.

Get the latest maritime news, analysis and more delivered to your inbox
Join 12,000+ members of the maritime community