The new advisory by ABS covers ammonia bunkering design, operations, risk assessment and dispersion analysis, safety procedures and training.
The ABS Ammonia Bunkering: Technical and Operational Advisory considers the aspects of bunkering ammonia as a fuel, providing the maritime industry with a better understanding of the challenges involved and how best to address them. Due to its greenhouse gas emissions reduction potential, ammonia is widely considered a leading alternative fuel candidate. However, given its toxicity, safe bunkering capabilities, whether by truck, ship or land storage terminal, will be critical to enabling its adoption by the industry.
The advisory covers ammonia bunkering design, operations, risk assessment and dispersion analysis, safety procedures and training. Some key areas covered by ABS include:
Ammonia bunkering plan
An ammonia bunkering plan shall be developed to ensure the safe and effective operation of ammonia bunkering processes. This plan must demonstrate and document compliance with regulations of all relevant authorities and industry practices. The ammonia bunkering plan should include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Purpose, objective, and safety policies
- Compatibility assessment
- Risk management
- Organization planning
- Communication
- Management of change
- Emergency procedure
- Training
- Operations, procedures, and checklists (include SIMOPS if applicable)
- Equipment handling and maintenance
Bunkering permit
A fuel transfer/bunkering permit may be required by the port authority prior to bunkering operations. These permits enforce safe and environmentally conscious bunkering operations. Permissions are sought by the supplier before planned operations. The requirements depend on location and apply to all owners, people in charge, and any other associated personnel. A bunkering permit may include, but is not limited to, the following requirements:
- Spill and recovery plan and contingency planning; suitable spill kits available
- Compliance with all local, national, or international regulatory requirements for fuel transfers
- Personnel training and training sessions provided
- Written operational plans and procedures, including all activities, distributed to all involved parties
- Safe access between supplier and receiver
- Emergency and evacuation procedures in place
- Proper use and display of signage
Ship compatibility
Mooring and bunker equipment should be compatible in design to conduct the bunker operation safely. At a minimum, the compatibility of the following equipment and installations should be assessed and confirmed:
- Communication/ESD systems
- Bunker connection and bunker station location
- Relative freeboard differences
- Transfer system specifications (e.g., type and size of hose connections), locations, loading on manifolds, and connection order
- Pumping transfer system specifications (flow rate, temperature, pressure, etc.)
- Vapor return line, if applicable
- Nitrogen line
- Mooring arrangement/equipment
- Hazard (flammable/toxic)/safety zones
- Fendering/pontoon arrangements
Emergency procedures and safety
Specifying emergency procedures to be carried out during bunkering operations (including duties, roles, and actions of all personnel and organizations involved) is essential for the safety and security of personnel and the environment. The emergency protocols must be specific to each bunkering method, and the response strategy must be developed based on the associated risk assessment.
To ensure that the emergency procedures are effective, risk assessment techniques should be used to identify all potential hazards and their consequences. Response strategies should be developed to mitigate these risks. The emergency procedures should address at least the following:
- Ammonia leakage
- Hose failure
- Hose quick-release arrangements
- Mooring line failure
- Communication failure
- Personnel injuries
- Fire
- Blackout
- Ship collision
- Fender burst
Before the bunkering operation, the emergency procedure shall be agreed upon between the receiving vessel and the bunker supplier. In case of emergency, the supplier and receiving vessel should evaluate the situation and act accordingly.
The advisory supports owners, operators, designers, shipyards, ammonia suppliers including terminals and port authorities with comprehensive guidance on the latest thinking around ammonia bunkering, which presents a specific set of new challenges for the industry.
… said John McDonald, ABS President and COO.
During the 2023 GREEN4SEA Athens Forum, Dr. John Kokarakis, Technical Director Southeast Europe, Black Sea & Adriatic (SEEBA) Zone at Bureau Veritas, mentioned that the design aspects that need to be considered, for ammonia to be utilizes as an alternative fuel, are:
- Risk assessment as there are no prescriptive rules
- Diffusion analysis following leakages. Ammonia is very toxic and thus its use as fuel is forbidden by the IGC code.
- Detection and management of NH3 leakage
- Management of NH3 spillage/vapors
- Control of ammonia discharge to the sea
- Material selection (including elastomers)
- Containment system
- Engines (which are not yet available) and Fuel Supply Systems
In any case, the maritime industry continues to put trust in ammonia on its path to decarbonization. On July 17, NYK supplied fuel ammonia to an NYK-owned ammonia-fueled tugboat (A-Tug) scheduled to become the world’s first commercial ammonia-fueled vessel upon completion at the end of August. Meanwhile, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) have shortlisted two consortia to advance in the evaluation of proposals for a low- or zero-carbon ammonia solution on Jurong Island.
