K Line and compatriot shipbuilder Shin Kurushima Dockyard have secured approval in principle for an ammonia-fueled car carrier design.

The Japanese shipowner said ammonia is attracting attention as a "next-generation" marine fuel as it does not emit C02 during combustion.

In the joint study, K Line, Shin Kurushima Dock and Japanese classification society ClassNK said they formulated a potential risk assessment and safety measures for using ammonia as a fuel.