Bureau Veritas Awards AiP for Ammonia-Fueled VLACs Jointly Developed with Hanwha Ocean and Naftomar

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV), a world leader in testing, inspection and certification, announced at Gastech 2025 in Milan the awarding of an Approval in Principle (AiP) for an ammonia-fuel-ready vessel design. This milestone, marking a key step in the decarbonization of global shipping, is the result of a joint development project with Hanwha Ocean and Naftomar.

The collaboration focused on developing a vessel design capable of operating on both LPG and ammonia, in line with BV’s latest Rules (NR 671) for ammonia as fuel. The design incorporates advanced safety features for ammonia fuel supply systems, leak detection, containment, and bunkering operations, supporting the safe adoption of ammonia as a future marine fuel.

Jeoungsun Lee, Head of Basic Design Department, Commercial Vessel Business of Hanwha Ocean, said: “With this Approval in Principle (AiP), we consider this a meaningful moment where we can establish ourselves as a leading shipbuilding company in next-generation eco-friendly ammonia engine propulsion ship technology. Accordingly, we will further dedicate ourselves to technological development to become a global leader in solution of environmentally friendly ship propulsion. We sincerely express our gratitude to Bureau Veritas and Naftomar shipowners for their active cooperation in executing this Joint Development Project (JDP)."

Efstathios Simos, Fleet and Technical Director at Naftomar Shipping & Trading, said: “As one of the longest-standing LPG traders with decades of experience in ammonia handling and transportation, we are proud to be among the pioneer’s embracing ammonia as a marine fuel. This AiP marks an important step toward introducing eco-friendly vessels powered by ammonia, reinforcing our commitment to safe operations while supporting the industry’s transition to low-carbon fuels and sustainable shipping.”