Japan's the NYK Group, through its companies Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK) and MTI, and Finnish engineering firm Elomatic have completed the development of a concept design for an ammonia-fuel ready, LNG-fueled vessel (ARLFV).
Under the project, which started in September 2021, the NYK Group and Elomatic developed a concept design for an ARLFV that can efficiently be converted from an LNG-fueled vessel to an ammonia-fueled vessel, based on the assumption that ammonia will become a next-generation marine fuel.
During phase one of the project from September 2021 to the end of February 2022, the partners designed an ARLFV to perform the functions of a pure car carrier and a post-Panamax bulk carrier. During phase 1.5, which will continue until June 2022, the partners will design a similar concept for a Capesize bulk carrier and a very large crude carrier (VLCC).
Until the end of 2022 under phase two, the NYK Group and Elomatic will proceed with the actual design of an ARLFV with a shipyard and marine manufacturers, reflecting the results obtained in the concept design, such as the optimal fuel-tank layout, ammonia-fuel supply device, and structural strength of the hull.
The project will be completed when the actual ship design is completed. Afterwards, the partners will propose a transportation service that can easily transition from an LNG-fueled vessel to an ammonia-fueled vessel through the use of an ARLFV.
The NYK Group and Elomatic plan to offer ARLFV contracts to customers beginning in 2023 and aim to complete building the first ARLFVs in 2025.
