Italian cargo handling system company Gas and Heat has signed an agreement with classification society RINA for the development of a cargo and fuel gas system for an ammonia fuelled bunker vessel.
Within this agreement, Gas and Heat will develop the basic design of the system and RINA will carry out the compliance assessment of the design as part of the wider Approval in Principle process.
While shipping currently represents approximately 3% of the global GHG emissions, dynamic targets on carbon emissions reduction have been already set for the marine sector by IMO and European Union. Among solutions under analysis, is seen as ammonia having potential to play a role in the medium term. The ammonia combustion process has been extensively researched by leading engine manufacturers and the delivery of ammonia fuelled engines to shipbuilding is considered likely to happen within a year.
Giuseppe Zagaria, Marine Italy Technical Director, RINA, said: “RINA and Gas and Heat are both driven by innovation and have a long history of cooperation on unique projects. The agreement represents a further step in this direction, allowing the integration of know-how and the delivery to the shipping industry of those technical insights and solutions that are much needed in this time of change. We do believe that a fleet of innovative bunker vessels, as part of the sea logistics, will boost the use of alternative fuels.”
Claudio Evangelisti, CEO, Gas and Heat Italy added: “We are excited to announce the collaboration with RINA on this cargo and fuel system for a bunker vessel project. By applying our know-how in the cryogenic gas transportation, we could deliver turnkey systems for the ammonia bunkering market.”
