Alternative fuels, energy efficiency devices and performance optimization are widely regarded as key to maritime industry decarbonization. Among these emerging solutions, ammonia as a maritime fuel has been evaluated to offer significant long-term potential to help the industry achieve net-zero emissions.
However, ammonia’s inherent toxicity necessitates a meticulous and proactive strategy for successful implementation, which includes answering questions about how ammonia behaves when it leaks in an engine room, or how does a cloud of escaped ammonia disperse during bunkering operations?
These and many other critical safety questions that must be understood if ammonia is to become widely adopted as a marine fuel are addressed in the latest industry-leading ABS research report entitled “Safety Insights for Ammonia as a Marine Fuel,” which converges the findings of advanced ABS research into the performance of ammonia on board.
This report highlights ABS’ current activities in safety, dispersion and emergency evacuation related to using ammonia as a marine fuel.
- To view and download a copy of “Safety Insights for Ammonia as a Marine Fuel,” click HERE.
“This publication provides a comprehensive report of ABS’ efforts to address the challenges and opportunities presented by ammonia as a marine fuel. Through detailed analysis of ammonia dispersion studies and emergency evacuation protocols, ABS is contributing to the discourse on safe and supportable maritime fuel alternatives, fostering a culture of preparedness and resilience,” said Vassilios Kroustallis, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Business Development.
As part of its research into ammonia as a maritime fuel, ABS performed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations using advanced tools to quantitatively assess the risks associated with ammonia dispersion in accidental leakage scenarios. ABS engineers also examined realistic bunkering situations such as ship-to-ship, terminal-to-ship and truck-to-ship, as well as ammonia dispersion from the vessel due to a leakage incident in the engine room.
In addition to CFD simulation analysis, ABS leveraged the latest industry best practices and advancements in software and hardware – including acoustic cameras for detecting and visualizing ammonia leakage – to provide a thorough, three-part framework for owners and operators evaluating ammonia as a cleaner fuel source:
- Proactive regulatory engagement and risk anticipation
- Development and implementation of a multifaceted safety framework, combining qualitative and quantitative risk assessments
- Real-time monitoring and optimized emergency response
