Hanwha Ocean has been granted approval in principle (AIP) from ABS for a fuel system that would allow an LNG carrier to transition from LNG to ammonia without swapping out its fuel tank or fuel supply system, according to Ship & Bunker.
The approval covers a multi-purpose fuel tank paired with an integrated fuel gas supply system, designed specifically for an electrically propelled LNG carrier that runs on a gas turbine. As reported by Ship & Bunker, the system is engineered to feed either LNG or ammonia into the gas turbine, giving operators the flexibility to move between the two fuels using the same core equipment.
ABS issued the AIP at Gastech 2026 following a review of the design against applicable class and international requirements, Ship & Bunker reports.
Building on Prior Collaboration
This latest approval extends a longer-running partnership between ABS and Hanwha Ocean. According to Ship & Bunker, the two have previously worked together on an ammonia gas turbine propulsion system approved in 2023, as well as a gas dispersion study completed in 2024 for a 174,000 m3 LNG carrier fitted with an ammonia gas turbine.
Together, these milestones point to a continued push toward developing ammonia-capable propulsion pathways for large LNG carriers, though Ship & Bunker’s report does not specify a timeline for commercial deployment of the newly approved system.
Does This Matter to You?
This development touches on the broader shift toward alternative marine fuels, an area of growing relevance for bunkering, vessel newbuilding, and fuel supply planning. A fuel system that lets an LNG carrier switch to ammonia without replacing its tank or supply infrastructure could influence how shipowners and yards approach future vessel designs and retrofit decisions, since it may reduce the cost and complexity typically associated with fuel-flexible newbuilds.
For those monitoring the pace of ammonia bunkering infrastructure and adoption, an AIP from a classification society like ABS signals technical validation of a design concept, though it is not the same as commercial readiness or regulatory finalization. The source material does not indicate when or whether vessels using this system will enter service, so the direct operational or bunkering impact remains unclear at this stage.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
