Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry and Cosco Shipping Heavy Industry Technology have received approvals in principle (AIPs) from the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for the designs of their ammonia-driven vessel and ammonia supply system.

The two designs are currently being tested on a tugboat.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

With a towing capacity of up to 60 tons, the tugboat is 36m long. In order to deliver ammonia for propulsion, the supply system is being installed on the vessel.

To address the safety and reliability of the systems, ABS carried out a comprehensive review and risk evaluation focused on ammonia filling, storage, supply, ventilation and emergency handling during the AIP process.

ABS global sustainability vice-president Georgios Plevrakis said: “These are exciting developments for COSCO Shipping and China shipbuilding to show leadership in the decarbonisation of our industry. Ammonia offers shipowners and operators a zero-carbon, tank-to-wake emissions profile.”

“Yet, we also recognise that ammonia presents a specific set of safety and technology challenges, and ABS is committed to leading the industry in supporting its safe adoption at sea.”

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Additionally, ABS granted AiP for a next-generation regasification system (Hi-ReGAS+) that is designed to use natural circulation for floating storage regasification units (FSRUs) and floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals.

Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (KSOE), the intermediate holding company of Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) developed this technology, which is a follow-on model to HHI Group’s Hi-ReGAS system.

Ship Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Ship Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Recognised with Innovation and Product Launches awards in the 2025 Ship Technology Excellence Awards, BASSnet Neo is BASS Software’s future-ready maritime ERP. See how its cloud architecture, AI automation and integrated BI dashboards are transforming operational control for ship owners and managers.

Discover the Impact