Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), together with ITOCHU Corporation, Nihon Shipyard, Mitsui E&S Machinery and NS United Kaiun Kaisha, has obtained an Approval in Principle (AiP) from Classification Society, Nippon Kaiji Kyokai for the design of an ammonia-powered vessel (class bulk carrier of 200,000 deadweight tons).

“The ship, which recently received an AiP, was developed by Nihon Shipyard as part of the integrated project for the development and social implementation of ammonia-powered ships jointly approved by the Green Innovation Fund Project / Development for NextGeneration Ships / Development of Ammonia Powered Vessels" of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO),"

There are no international guidelines for using ammonia as a marine fuel, the release added. "So K Line and partners are looking at obtaining Alternative Design Approval for the vessel's shipbuilding. A Risk Assessment (Hazard Identification Study) has recently been conducted on the safety of using ammonia as a marine fuel, and the basic design of the vessel has been evaluated as "capable of guaranteeing the same level of safety as ships operating on existing fuel."

K Line and partners will continue development and aim to take delivery of the ship in 2026 and begin social deployment, the release said.

K Line revised some of its long-term environmental guidance in November 2021 and set a new goal for 2050 to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions, the release said.