ABS issued approval in principle to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries  for its new ammonia-based ship HVAC refrigeration system.

HHI developed the system in response to shipowners’ requests for refrigeration of HVAC systems using ammonia, a more eco-friendly refrigerant with a zero ozone depletion potential  and a Global Warming Potential of zero per the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers,  .

ABS used its marine vessel rules to conduct technical suitability reviews of the designs, materials, fire and personnel safety equipment, piping, electrical, operations tests and risk assessments.

“This is an exciting development from HHI for the maritime industry’s decarbonization quest to find sustainable solutions. ABS has always been a safety pioneer, so we are well placed to tackle the challenges on board and ashore presented by ammonia’s toxicity and flammability. ABS is committed to leading the industry in supporting ammonia’s safe adoption at sea,” said Panos Koutsourakis, ABS Vice President, Global Sustainability.

Hwan-Sik Lee, head of the ship design office at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, said, “We will continue to make efforts to realize maritime carbon neutrality by strengthening the eco-friendliness of not only the propulsion device but also the overall ship.”