World’s First AiP For Ship-to-Ship Bunkering Boom For Fuel Ammonia Granted

On July 31, 2024, NYK Line and TB Global Technologies Ltd received the world’s first Approval in Principle from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) for a ship-to-ship bunkering boom designed for ammonia fuel.

NYK and TBG collaborated to design this innovative bunkering boom expected to improve the safety of ammonia fuel supply operations.

The boom’s most significant feature is a unique emergency-release system developed by TBG, allowing for immediate disconnection between an ammonia-fueled vessel and an ammonia bunkering vessel in case of an emergency.

The advancement addresses ammonia’s high toxicity by ensuring that the liquid does not leak and poses a low risk to the environment and crew.

TBG, a leading Japanese manufacturer of cargo handling equipment for crude oil, LNG and other liquids and NYK, a major player in the maritime industry, collaborated to develop this innovative technology.

NYK supplied design data from its in-house developed ABV and shared insights from its ammonia transport business and Japan’s first LNG bunkering vessel, Kaguya, operated by Central LNG Marine Fuel Corporation, with NYK as the largest shareholder.

Ammonia, expected to play a crucial role in the decarbonization of maritime transport due to its CO2-free combustion, is gaining popularity as a next generation fuel.

The bunkering boom is being developed for installation on ammonia fueled vessels expected to become more common globally in the late 2020s.

The AiP certification process included extensive safety verification, including an examination of the safety concept and risk analysis by ClassNK.

The development is aligned with NYK’s environmental goals, which include reducing the NYK Group’s greenhouse gas emissions by 45% from fiscal 2021 levels by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

The technological and safety advances represented by this bunkering boom are intended to help the development of ammonia-fueled vessels, such as the ammonia-fueled medium gas carrier (AFMGC), which is set to be delivered in November 2026.

The vessel is part of a partnership involving IHI Power Systems, Japan Engine Corporation, Nihon Shipyard and NYK, all of whom are collaborating with ClassNK to integrate local ammonia-fueled engines.

Reference: NYK Line

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