Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) has awarded an approval in principle (AiP) to a very large ammonia carrier (VLAC) concept developed by Jiangnan Shipyard, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), recognising a vessel design that integrates multiple low-carbon propulsion technologies.

The certification was presented at Gastech 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, and covers a vessel concept developed in-house by Jiangnan Shipyard. According to BV, the AiP confirms that the design concept is feasible and aligns with applicable safety, regulatory and classification requirements.

The VLAC concept is built around a medium-voltage DC hybrid electric propulsion system drawing on three power sources: ammonia-fuelled generators, an ammonia fuel cell system and containerised battery energy storage. The vessel also features a forward accommodation arrangement and four foldable soft sails intended to provide supplementary wind-assisted propulsion.

BV says the flexible architecture is designed to support operational efficiency and accommodate future developments in maritime energy technologies, including advanced battery systems, onboard photovoltaic power generation and next-generation fuel cell solutions.

Jeffrey Guo, Marine & Offshore Asia Pacific Senior Vice-President at Bureau Veritas, said: "The development of safe and efficient ammonia transportation solutions will be an important enabler of emerging low-carbon energy supply chains. We are pleased to grant Approval in Principle to Jiangnan Shipyard's innovative VLAC design, which brings together ammonia-fuelled power, fuel cells, battery energy storage and wind propulsion in a highly integrated vessel concept. This project demonstrates how multiple technologies can work together to advance decarbonisation while maintaining strong standards of safety, efficiency and future readiness."