Those are fair considerations. However, I think in the context of a massive cargo ship, a penalty on energy density might be worth it to avoid the risks associated with ammonia releases. Of course, a nuclear reactor powered ship would run on the highest energy density fuel and is arguably safer to operate than a ship that runs on ammonia.
LH2 can work well for commercial shipping. Use at pace of boil off. Ammonia toxicity is a bit overblown. The tiniest leak will smell strongly, and it leaks as a gas. The smell threshold is far below toxicity level. Go outside is a natural solution.
Ammonia and LH2 have tradeoffs. Compressed H2 in “trimaran pontoons” is an excellent solution that would permit sail assist as well. Nuclear is too expensive.
Those are fair considerations. However, I think in the context of a massive cargo ship, a penalty on energy density might be worth it to avoid the risks associated with ammonia releases. Of course, a nuclear reactor powered ship would run on the highest energy density fuel and is arguably safer to operate than a ship that runs on ammonia.
LH2 can work well for commercial shipping. Use at pace of boil off. Ammonia toxicity is a bit overblown. The tiniest leak will smell strongly, and it leaks as a gas. The smell threshold is far below toxicity level. Go outside is a natural solution.
Ammonia and LH2 have tradeoffs. Compressed H2 in “trimaran pontoons” is an excellent solution that would permit sail assist as well. Nuclear is too expensive.