On October 30, the design for a 50,000-cubic-meter ammonia dual-fuel ammonia/LPG carrier, jointly developed by COSCO SHIPPING Energy and COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry, received Approval in Principle (AIP) certificates from three classification societies: ABS, CCS, and DNV. Leaders from COSCO SHIPPING Energy, COSCO SHIPPING Heavy Industry, and the three classification societies attended the ceremony.

This vessel design features cutting-edge green and low-carbon performance, enhanced energy efficiency, robust cargo capacity, and exceptional safety and reliability. Compared to similar vessels in the market, it offers approximately a 1% increase in cargo hold capacity within the same dimensions and reduces daily fuel consumption by about 0.5 tons at the same speed. Primarily designed for ammonia transportation, the vessel is also capable of carrying LPG. Its advanced ammonia dual-fuel system supports net-zero carbon emissions. The design aims to meet internationally leading standards in performance and cargo capacity.

Ammonia fuel is gaining significant attention in the shipping industry as carbon emission regulations on marine fuel lifecycle management become increasingly stringent. Moreover, low-carbon ammonia holds immense potential for applications in industries such as power, steel, chemicals, and agriculture. This vessel design not only provides an innovative and practical solution for integrating alternative fuels in shipping but also plays a pivotal role in supporting the global transportation of green energy across regions.

In recent years, COSCO SHIPPING Energy has actively participated in the global energy transition and the construction of the green energy ecosystem, offering logistical and application scenario support for the green energy industry. To date, the company has deployed one LNG dual-fuel Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) and ordered three 114,000-ton methanol dual-fuel Aframax crude oil carriers. The issuance of the AIP certificates for the 50,000-cubic-meter ammonia dual-fuel ammonia/LPG carrier marks a significant milestone for COSCO SHIPPING Energy. It successfully achieves comprehensive coverage in the application and development of technologies for three mainstream alternative fuels—liquefied natural gas (LNG), methanol, and ammonia—alongside carbon capture technologies in vessel design.

COSCO SHIPPING Energy remains committed to advancing low-carbon fuel research and development, building on the robust technical expertise and innovative capabilities of its shipbuilding partners. Building on the robust technical expertise and innovative capabilities of its shipbuilding partners. The company aims to further contribute to achieving global “dual carbon” targets and accelerating the commercialization of zero-carbon vessel designs.