NYK and TB Global Technologies (TBG) have received approval in principle (AiP) certification for the ship-to-ship supply of ammonia fuel from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK).
This is believed to be the world’s first bunkering boom for ammonia-fuelled vessels to receive an AiP, and is expected to provide a major boost to the expansion of the practical application of ammonia-fuelled vessels.
The most distinctive feature of the boom is a TBG-developed emergency-release system that allows the connection between an ammonia-fuelled vessel and an ammonia bunkering vessel (ABV) to be disconnected instantly in an emergency. In acquiring the AiP, NYK provided design data for its in-house developed ABV. In addition, to improve the safety and operability of the equipment, NYK provided knowledge on the handling of ammonia gained by NYK from its ammonia transport business and expertise gained from Kaguya, Japan’s first LNG bunkering vessel. Kaguya is operated by Central LNG Marine Fuel Corporation, of which NYK is the largest shareholder.
NYK says it will continue collaborating with companies in Japan and overseas and actively promoting research and development of facilities and equipment that consider the natural environment and crew safety.
Image: NYK and TBG have received AiP from ClassNK for the ammonia bunkering boom (source: NYK)
