Foreship ammonia-fuelled container ship design shortlisted for GREEN4SEA Award

Foreship is delighted to have been shortlisted for the GREEN4SEA EUROPORT Ship Design Award, which is reserved for organisations that can demonstrate a significant breakthrough in, or contribution to Environmentally Friendly Ship Design.

The industry-led award, whose winner is chosen by popular vote, will be announced at a special ceremony on 8 November during the Europort 2023 Exhibition - Europe’s largest maritime event this year - at Rotterdam’s Ahoy Center (7-10 November).

Foreship’s shortlisting comes in recognition of its concept design for a ground-breaking ammonia-fuelled 15,000 TEU container ship. Commissioned by Seaspan Corporation as part of a collaborative project with Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, the design secured Approval in Principle from classification society ABS in July.

In line with IMO targets for reducing ship greenhouse gas emissions, ammonia offers considerable promise as an alternative marine fuel. However, no ammonia-fuelled commercial ship currently exists, with the substance’s toxicity just one of the safety challenges standing in the way of use.  

As well as concept design work, Foreship defined safety objectives and completed a hazard identification (HAZID) risk assessment for the 15,000 TEU ship, considering the ammonia ‘gap’ in current maritime regulations. It also designed arrangements to sustain safe ammonia supply, storage, bunkering and venting.  

Documentation covered a fuel range and endurance analysis, ammonia tank and system location assessments, general arrangement, main machinery and electrical system design, and initial vessel stability calculations. The process also took account of short-term ammonia sourcing challenges by envisaging dual fuel engine operations in the first instance.

Shaun White, Managing Director, Foreship UK said: “The need to develop viable options so that an entire global industry can achieve Net Zero emissions by 2050 is driving an extraordinary period of innovation in ship design and marine technology.

“Foreship is focusing on providing the support shipping needs to achieve its net zero targets. This innovative project demonstrates how we are doing this in collaboration with owners, class societies and research organizations, and applying Foreship’s industry-leading naval architecture and marine engineering expertise to enable alternative fuels. We are extremely proud that our efforts have been recognised by the Green4Sea panel of experts during the shortlisting process.”

Voting for shortlisted Green4Sea Europort Ship Design Award companies takes place online, with the process closing on 15 September 2023. To vote for Foreship, click HERE.