NYK and partners bag AiP for ammonia bunkering vessel

The certification proves the design followed safety, technical, and environmental guidelines.

Japan’s Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and its consortium partners have received Approval-in-Principle (AiP) for their ammonia-fueled ammonia bunkering vessel design.

In a joint statement, the parties said certification validates the design’s compliance with safety, technical, and environmental standards.

“By enhancing the feasibility of ammonia as a future fuel, this project positions the consortium at the forefront of the maritime energy transition,” they added.

The vessel design incorporates ammonia fuel dual-fuel engines from IHI Power Systems and a bunkering boom by TB Global Technologies. These were also installed on the world's first commercial-use ammonia- fuelled tugboat, Sakigake, delivered in August 2024.

The bunkering boom also features High Speed Ammonia Purging Emergency Release System (ERS) for efficient disconnection between vessels in an emergency.

Seatrium, through its wholly-owned subsidiary LMG Marin AS assisted in the vessel’s design, which will be submitted to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore for evaluation.