ClassNK Releases First-Ever Estimated Leak Frequencies for Ammonia-Fueled Ships

ClassNK, in partnership with the Research Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability (RISS), has released groundbreaking estimated leak frequencies for ammonia fuel from onboard components on ammonia-fueled ships. This information is crucial for risk assessments in new ship designs, as it helps in evaluating the likelihood of ammonia leaks from various components. Until now, there has been a lack of statistical data on onboard ammonia leaks, making it challenging to estimate probabilities accurately.

To address this issue, ClassNK and RISS utilized the Bayesian method to estimate the probability of ammonia leaks from each component. They based their calculations on onshore ammonia leak frequency data from Japan, sourced from the High Pressure Gas Safety Institute of Japan, and LNG leak frequency data from LNG-fueled ships. By using these sources, they were able to provide valuable insights into the likelihood of ammonia leaks from different components on ammonia-fueled ships.

The estimated leak frequencies have been included as an appendix in ‘Part C of Guidelines for Ships Using Alternative Fuels (Edition 3.0)’. This addition will serve as a valuable resource for ship designers, operators, and regulators in enhancing safety measures and risk assessments for ammonia-fueled ships. With this industry-first data on estimated leak frequencies, stakeholders can make more informed decisions and better mitigate potential risks associated with using ammonia as a fuel source in maritime operations.

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