CLASSNK has issued an approval in principle for an ammonia floating storage and regasification barge (A-FSRB) jointly developed by NYK Line, Nihon Shipyard (NSY), and IHI Corporation (IHI).
According to the classification society, this is the world’s first AiP for A-FSRBs handling ammonia as cargo.
The A-FSRB was jointly developed by NYK Line, NSY, and IHI. It is an offshore floating facility that can receive and store ammonia that has been transported via ship as a liquid, warm and regasify ammonia according to demand, and then send it to a pipeline onshore.
According to the companies, the A-FSRB offers the advantages of shorter construction time and lower costs in comparison to the construction of onshore storage tanks and regasification plants.
ClassNK carried out the design review of the A-FSRB in line with its Part PS of Rules for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships and Guidelines for Floating Offshore Facilities for LNG/LPG Production, Storage, Offloading and Regasification.
Currently, there are no international regulations for floating storage and regasification facilities when the cargo is ammonia, and it is expected that the unique requirements of ammonia will have to be reflected in the design.
The companies and ClassNK conducted a comprehensive risk identification of various contingencies and worked to identify technical issues from the initial study stage.
The risk identification was conducted using the gap analysis method, which identified differences between conventional ships and offshore floating facilities and evaluated the impact of such differences.
Based on its review and the risk identification results, ClassNK issued the AiP for the A-FSRB.
ClassNK said it would continue to take part in advanced initiatives toward decarbonisation and also support the decarbonisation of the entire industry by incorporating the knowledge gained through collaboration with front runners into rules and guidelines.
