Shippers in Western Australia have successfully completed the first transfer of ammonia between ships, paving the way for its use as a marine fuel. While ammonia offers zero emissions potential, safety concerns and high costs pose challenges. Industry efforts are underway to address these issues and make ammonia a viable option.
A consortium led by the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) successfully conducted ship-to-ship ammonia transfers at the Port of Dampier in Western Australia. The pilot operation involved two transfers between the tankers Green Pioneer and Navigator Global, highlighting the feasibility of using ammonia as a marine fuel and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the shipping industry.
The world’s first accreditation for “Machinery Room Safety for Ammonia” (MRS) will be granted by ClassNK for the ammonia-fueled medium gas carrier (AFMGC) developed by a consortium including NYK and NSY. MRS signifies exceptional safety measures for handling ammonia, meeting the highest safety standards for ammonia-fueled ships. The consortium aims to deliver the AFMGC by November 2026 under Japan’s Green Innovation Fund Project.
The Finnish tech group Wärtsilä is collaborating with Norwegian shipowner Eidesvik Offshore to convert the “Viking Energy” offshore vessel to run on ammonia fuel by 2026. This transformation makes it the world’s first ammonia-powered vessel in operation, reducing emissions by at least 70%. Equinor supports this initiative to meet global emissions targets.
Amogy, a leader in ammonia-to-power solutions, partners with Mitsubishi Shipbuilding to explore onboard hydrogen production. Integrating Amogy’s ammonia-cracking tech with Mitsubishi’s system, the collaboration aims to develop a sustainable ammonia fuel supply for zero emissions in the maritime industry. Feasibility studies show potential for power trains and hydrogen supply facilities using ammonia as a carbon-free fuel.
MAN Energy Solutions and Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) have partnered to develop crew training for handling ammonia as fuel on vessels. The MoU signed at Posidonia 2024 International Shipping Exhibition will focus on safe handling of ammonia for dual-fuel engines. EPS CEO Cyril Ducau emphasized the importance of collaboration in the industry’s green transformation, while MAN’s Bjarne Foldager praised EPS for their technical capabilities in delivering dual-fuel ammonia engines.
Lloyd’s Register (LR) approves Seaspan Corporation’s next generation feeder vessel design, convertible from LNG to ammonia. This AiP project reflects Seaspan’s commitment to decarbonization. Collaborating with Technolog and LR, Seaspan anticipates future challenges in the shipping industry. Phase 2 focuses on a dual-fuel ammonia feed vessel for decarbonization journey.
Australian metals company Fortescue has completed propulsion and maneuverability trials of its ammonia-powered vessel, the Fortescue Green Pioneer, in collaboration with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. The trials included testing various marine fuels like liquid ammonia, diesel, and hydrogenated vegetable oil. The vessel aims to raise awareness for the global shipping industry to adopt green ammonia solutions.
South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean partners with New York’s Amogy to advance zero-emission ammonia-to-power technology for ships, acquiring Amogy’s cutting-edge system. The collaboration, involving Hanwha Aerospace, aims to revolutionize maritime decarbonization with scalable ammonia-powered solutions. Exec VP Hyoung Seog Kim believes this partnership propels a sustainable, carbon-neutral future.
Malaysia’s MISC Berhad, via AET, seals contracts for the first ammonia dual-fuel Aframaxes globally. TCPs with PTLCL and shipbuilding deals with DSIC mark a significant step in promoting ammonia as a sustainable maritime fuel. Industry leaders, including Captain Subramaniam and CEO Osman, applaud the commitment to decarbonization.
Marine engine maker Wartsila is set to deliver its first ammonia-powered engine for a new ship in early 2025, with larger sales expected in the 2030s. As shippers explore alternative fuels to reduce carbon emissions, interest in ammonia engines is on the rise. The company sees green fuels capturing a portion of the global bunkering market by 2030.
Australian mining company Fortescue celebrated the first use of ammonia as marine fuel in the Port of Singapore. The ship, Fortescue Green Pioneer, underwent a seven-week fuel test with liquid ammonia. Ammonia’s potential as a marine fuel can aid the energy transition in the maritime sector. The successful test sets a significant milestone.
MAN Energy Solutions plans to deliver its first ammonia-powered engine for a new ship in Japan this year and can offer them to customers after 2027. Ammonia is a cleaner fuel option to reduce emissions in the shipping industry, and strict safety measures are needed for handling this toxic substance.
Wärtsilä Gas Solutions introduces a groundbreaking Ammonia Fuel Supply System (AFSS) for ships, enabling the use of ammonia as a marine fuel. The system offers significant reductions in CO2, SOx, NOx, and PM emissions. The AFSS can be installed on newbuilds or retrofitted on existing vessels, providing a reliable and efficient fuel supply system.
A recent study from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden warns of potential environmental problems from using ammonia as a marine fuel for decarbonization. The research team found that ammonia can lead to issues such as eutrophication, acidification, and the emission of powerful greenhouse gases. Despite being carbon-free, ammonia may not be as environmentally friendly as hoped.
