ABS, HD KSOE, Siemens to Build Ammonia Safety Digital Twin
ABS, HD KSOE and Siemens signed an MOU to develop digital twin and CFD tools for assessing ammonia-fuelled vessel leak safety.
IMPACT SNAPSHOT
- Who is affected
- ClassNK
In this article
Three-Way Partnership on Ammonia Safety Tools
ABS, HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and Siemens have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop digital twin technology aimed at evaluating the safety of ammonia-fuelled vessels. According to a report by Ship & Bunker, the collaboration was announced at Gastech 2026 and will combine computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis with digital twin modelling to predict how ammonia disperses following a leak.
Assessing Risk Earlier in Design
The core aim of the project is to let shipbuilders and designers model a range of leakage and accident scenarios during the early stages of vessel design, rather than only after construction. By simulating dispersion patterns computationally, the partners hope to identify safety risks before they become costly design or operational problems.
Divided Responsibilities
Under the MOU, each partner brings a distinct area of expertise:
- HD KSOE will develop ammonia safety systems and carry out experimental research to validate findings.
- Siemens will supply the simulation and digital twin technology underpinning the modelling work.
- ABS will develop the safety assessment methodology that ties the technical outputs to classification and regulatory requirements.
ABS stated that the project is intended to support faster safety validation as the shipping industry moves forward with ammonia-fuelled vessel designs.
Why It Matters
Ammonia is increasingly viewed as a candidate marine fuel for decarbonization, but its toxicity creates distinct safety challenges compared with conventional fuels, particularly around leak detection and crew protection. Tools that allow designers to model dispersion scenarios digitally, before a vessel is built, could help class societies and shipyards move more confidently toward approving ammonia-fuelled designs. The collaboration reflects a broader industry trend of using digital twin and simulation technology to compress the safety validation timeline for new, less-familiar fuels entering commercial shipping.
Spot an error? Request a correction
Apeks Tech Editorial Team
Sourced curation
The Apeks Tech editorial team — sourced briefs and engineering-led curation; sources are listed on every brief. Editorial policy →
Forward this to a colleague
Should your DPA, technical superintendent or a fellow owner see this? Forwarding costs nothing.
Was this forwarded to you? Take your own copy → subscribe here.