ABS awards AIP for MARIC Dual Fuel Newcastlemax

ABS granted Approval in Principle (AIP) to the Marine Design & Research Institute of China (MARIC) for a novel Dual Fuel Design for a 210,000 DWT Bulk Carrier. MARIC, a subsidiary company of China State Shipbuilding Corporation group, is developing a 294m Newcastlemax bulker with an LNG fuel system consisting of a bilobe type C tank with about 6000 cubic meter capacity, located on the aft deck, the society said in a press release.

“ABS has a record of supporting Chinese shipbuilding and this project is yet another example of our commitment to advancing safety and evolution in new designs,” said ABS Vice President for Global Business Development, Peter Fitzpatrick. “As a global leader in gas, we are proud to partner with innovative companies all over the world, such as MARIC, to support the delivery of environmentally-friendly power systems.”  

“Working with ABS we are demonstrating the viability of our first LNG fuel system to power a large bulk carrier. This AIP is an important first step to incorporate LNG as fuel and further develop our bulk design, which specifies an on-deck fuel tank system enabling extensive dual fuel capability without compromising cargo storage capacity,” said a MARIC spokesperson.

In granting this AIP, ABS conducted a preliminary engineering plan review and considers that the conceptual engineering is feasible for the intended application and is, in principle, in compliance with the ABS Steel Vessel Rules 2018 and IMO IGF Code.

Recognizing the changing landscape and increased industry focus on gas, ABS launched its Global Gas Solutions team in 2013 to support industry in developing gas-related projects. The ABS Global Gas Solutions team provides industry leadership, offering guidance in liquefied natural gas (LNG) floating structures and systems, gas fuel systems and equipment, gas carriers, and regulatory and statutory requirements.  ABS has extensive experience with the full scope of gas-related assets and has been the classification society of choice for some of the most advanced gas carriers in service.

About ABS
ABS, a leading global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries, is committed to setting standards for safety and excellence in design and construction. Focused on safe and practical application of advanced technologies and digital solutions, ABS works with industry and clients to develop accurate and cost-effective compliance, optimized performance and operational efficiency for marine and offshore assets.