Classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) Marine & Offshore has approved the designs of two ammonia-fuelled vessels from Chinese firms.

The approval in principle (AiP) was granted to concepts developed by CIMC Ocean Engineering Design & Research Institute and Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard, BV said in a press release on Thursday.

The designs include a 159,000 DWT ammonia dual-fuel tanker and a 21,700 TEU ammonia-fuelled ultra-large container ship.

The tanker is designed as a next-generation Suezmax vessel for long-haul crude trades, which utilises ammonia as fuel alongside wind-assisted propulsion to reduce emissions.

The container ship design focuses on zero-carbon fuel readiness and high energy efficiency for global liner routes.

Both concepts aim to support the shipping industry’s transition toward low- and zero-carbon marine fuels.