ClassNK awards AiP for ammonia-fueled tugboat design

Aim is to have ammonia-fueled tugboat in operation in Yokohama by 2024

A Japanese project aimed at trialing an ammonia-fueled tugboat — the A-Tug — in the port of Yokohama by FY2024 has reached an important milestone. It has now gained an Approval in Principle (AiP) for the tug’s design from ClassNK.

In addition to ClassNK, the partners in the project are NYK Line and IHI Power Systems. NYK Line is responsible for design construction and operation of the A-Tug. IHI Power Systems, whose subsidiaries include engine manufacturer Niigata Power Systems, is responsible for development of the tug’s four stroke engine.

NYK Line says that the main design issues when using ammonia as fuel are:

• It is necessary to combust ammonia stably and operate the engine while increasing the usage ratio of ammonia, which is flame-retardant and has low energy density.

• Since the combustion of ammonia generates nitrous oxide (N2O: about 300 times the warming potential of CO2) instead of CO2, it is necessary to control the combustion to prevent the generation of nitrous oxide and to not discharge it overboard.

• The design must prevent leakage of toxic ammonia and provie adequate safety measures in the event of leakage.

To gain the AiP, NYK Line and IPS have aimed to safely and practically install ammonia fuel-related equipment in a limited space on board by developing an ammonia fuel engine, selecting equipment, and devising the equipment layout in the design.

As a result, they say, the design of A-Tug overcomes the challenges involved without changing the size of a conventional tugboat.

ClassNK’s “Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels” set a standard necessary to minimize the risks related to ammonia-fueled ships for the ships, crews, and environment by stipulating requirements for installation, controls, and safety devices.

It has carried out a design review of the A-Tug in accordance with Part C-1 of its guidelines and the AiP verifies that it complies with the prescribed requirements. The AiP is first issued by the society for a tugboat using ammonia as fuel.