August 5, 2025
ClassNK, along with IHI Corporation, JFE Steel, Tohoku University and the Institute of Science Tokyo, have been selected to work on tools assessing stress corrosion cracking (SCC) risks in ammonia fuel storage and transportation equipment, including tanks.
As stated, the consortium, selected by New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) to participate in the Feasibility Study Program on Energy and New Environmental Technology, aims to develop tools that help check the risk of Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) in steel tanks and equipment used to store and transport ammonia fuel.
Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) happens when steel is damaged by both pressure and corrosion, especially from liquid ammonia. Initially, the team will study how this damage occurs, then create easy-to-use tools to measure the risk.
Furthermore, the consortium will ask for feedback from industry experts to create maintenance rules that focus on actual risks. These rules will help keep fuel ammonia systems especially on ships safe and reliable.
ClassNK will focus on:
- Studying how ammonia causes steel to crack
- Looking at how ammonia equipment is used on ships
- Running long-term tests
- Creating tools to measure SCC risk
Ammonia is seen as a clean fuel option because it doesn’t produce CO₂ when burned. As stated, it’s a key part of Japan’s green energy strategy for power plants and ships, however since ammonia can damage steel, it’s important to have safe inspection and maintenance systems in place.
The results will be included in ClassNK’s official safety guidelines.
