World’s First Machine Room Safety Accreditation To Be Granted By ClassNK For Ammonia-Fueled Carrier

An ammonia-fueled medium gas carrier (AFMGC) currently undergoing development is set to receive the world’s first “Machinery Room Safety for Ammonia” (MRS) accreditation from ClassNK.

The historic certification is part of a collaboration between Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha and Nihon Shipyard. The vessel, scheduled to be delivered in November 2026, will be recognized for its enhanced safety measures for handling ammonia in the machinery room.

The MRS designation, established by ClassNK, demonstrates a ship’s superior ammonia safety practices, especially in the machinery room.

The accreditation signifies that the vessel meets the rigorous safety criteria established by ClassNK’s guidelines for ammonia-fueled ships, providing the best protection against the potential risks of ammonia leaks.

The AFMGC is being developed as part of Japan’s Green Innovation Fund Project, led by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization.

The consortium behind this effort, which comprises industrial giants such as NYK and NSY, aims to complete the vessel by late 2026. A major challenge in the project has been reducing the risks posed by ammonia toxicity, particularly in the ship’s machinery room.

The collaboration performed a rigorous risk assessment, guided and evaluated by ClassNK to address these issues.

NYK’s engineers also led efforts to develop user-centric safety measures, focusing on reducing ammonia leakage from the ship’s piping and tank systems. This initiative was important to ensure that the vessel met the highest safety standards.

The MRS designation is a specific certification highlighting a vessel’s compliance with optional functional requirements to reduce crew exposure to ammonia leaks in the machinery room.

Ships that receive this certificate indicate an unparalleled dedication to safety, exceeding the minimum regulatory criteria.

The collaboration will continue to improve the AFMGC’s design and operational protocols as it approaches its scheduled delivery date.

The MRS accreditation is intended to contribute to broader efforts to improve safety on ammonia-fueled ships, with consortium members using their combined expertise to establish new industry standards.

The 40,000-cubic-meter ammonia-fueled gas carrier is being built at Japan Marine United Corp.’s Ariake Shipyard.

Reference: NYK Line

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