LR evaluates the use of ammonia as a maritime fuel

Liam Blackmore from Lloyd’s Register (LR) discusses the potential of using ammonia as a maritime fuel in a newly published video. He highlights the technical challenges, safety elements, and sustainability of using ammonia as a low-carbon fuel for shipping. With over 12 years of experience in the maritime industry, Blackmore explains that ammonia has promising characteristics as a fuel, as it is virtually free of sulphur oxide and particulate matter emissions, contributing to cleaner air quality. When produced using renewable energy, ammonia can achieve a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, making it a viable option for achieving the International Maritime Organization’s target of reducing emissions by at least 50% by 2050.

Ammonia can be used in a variety of marine engines, including dual-fuel engines, and its high energy density and low viscosity make it suitable for long-range shipping operations. However, challenges related to storage and bunkering infrastructure remain, as safe and efficient handling of ammonia requires specialized equipment and facilities that are currently limited in the shipping industry. Despite these challenges, ongoing research and development efforts are paving the way for a future where ammonia plays a major role in decarbonizing the maritime sector.

Lloyd’s Register Maritime Decarbonisation Hub (LRMDH) and the Maersk McKinney Moeller (MMM) Zero Carbon Shipping Centre have published a report examining the human factor concerns posed by ammonia as a maritime fuel, highlighting the potential for ammonia to contribute to a more sustainable shipping industry.

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