Ammonia Safety Study

The project is conducted in phases, where Phase 1 performed a Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) investigating the risk of fatality due to unintended leaks of ammonia from fuel system designs for a container feeder vessel, Panamax bulker and an MR tanker. The QRA model was developed by LR, and covers bunkering, storage, fuel preparation, fuel supply and regulation and consumers (engines and boiler). The risk of fatality was determined and compared against established criteria. Furthermore, the risk related to key equipment items and spaces containing this equipment was illustrated. Thereby, the location specific individual risk (LSIR) and individual risk per Annum (IRPA) were determined. The highest risk locations across all vessel segments were found to be the area with Ammonia containing equipment like the fuel preparation room and tank connection space.

The second phase of the project takes a deep dive on the previously identified risk areas and analyses risk mitigation from both a technical and human perspective. The aim of Phase 2 is to deliver a multi-stakeholder joint view on the necessary mitigating actions and safeguards. For technical risk mitigation further risk analysis will be conducted and the risk in reference designs will be reduced to ‘As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP)’ by testing alternative design solutions in the QRA model. Whereas for human risk mitigation, a deeper investigation into risk identification needs to take place where competence, training and safety system requirements will be considered, in order to improve understanding of risks to develop appropriate guidance.

The overall outcome of the project is to publish a report covering documentation of assumptions, methodology, reference designs and risk calculations, quantifying the risks and design of intelligent safeguards.