AiP for offshore production in Korea, government funding for maritime ammonia in Scandinavia

AiP for KRISO’s offshore hydrogen & ammonia production platform design

The American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to an offshore renewable hydrogen & ammonia production platform design by the Korea Research Institute of Ships & Ocean Engineering (KRISO).

KRISO’s design consists of a water desalination system, an electrolysis system, a hydrogen pressurisation system, an air separation unit, and an ammonia synthesis system, spread over two platforms. The new design builds on an AiP granted in July for a hydrogen production platform, adding a new platform for ammonia synthesis and large-scale storage.

Hydrogen is the golden molecule and will continue to grow as the key component in the worldwide endeavour to build a sustainable energy landscape. Production of hydrogen, particularly green hydrogen derived from renewable sources, is critical to the realization of a worldwide hydrogen economy. With its huge network and experience, the shipping industry is primed to be a cornerstone in this initiative.

Panos Koutsourakis, ABS VP, Global Sustainability, in his organisation’s official press release, 19 September 2023

The hydrogen and ammonia production platform developed by KRISO can produce hydrogen and ammonia without carbon emissions using marine renewable energy. In the future, KRISO will continue to develop sustainable marine energy and eco-friendly ship technologies in order to achieve net zero in the ocean.

Keyyong Hong, KRISO President, in ABS’ official press release, 19 September 2023

Govt backing for ammonia-fuelled vessels & bunkering in Norway

A project by Yara Clean Ammonia and North Sea Container Line (NCL) to construct a clean ammonia-fuelled container vessel has received funding from the Norwegian government through Enova (a NOK 709 million total funding round).

Also supported by the same funding round, Viridis Bulk Carriers plans to acquire two new ammonia-operated cargo ships with a deadweight capacity of 4,700 tonnes. The vessels will be used in a logistics system for bulk transport developed in the Pilot-E project “FlexBulk – NH3 Power”. The ships are scheduled to be operational from the end of 2025.

Both projects will benefit from an associated bunkering solution for ammonia, developed by Azane Fuel Solutions in collaboration with Yara Clean Ammonia, which has also received Enova funding. Azane is developing a pilot bunkering barge which will deliver clean ammonia to the vessels. Azane’s bunkering unit will be part of a planned bunkering infrastructure network in Scandinavia.

We are grateful for the grants Enova has awarded the projects we are developing together with our partners. These grants contribute to Yara’s ability to execute the projects, taking us one significant step closer to an emission-free maritime sector. The projects represent the whole value chain, from the engine- and ship technology to the fuelling of these ships. Realizing them will help us enable the shipping market.

The green transition we need to undergo is massive, and we will only succeed with strong public-private cooperation. Risk mitigating public support and the commitment from all stakeholders to drive the development of this market, is vital. Yara Clean Ammonia is grateful for the excellent cooperation and strong efforts made by all our partners, and the important role Enova is playing”

Magnus Krogh Ankarstrand, president of Yara Clean Ammonia, in his organisation’s official press release, 26 September 2023

The world’s energy systems must become emission-free if we are to succeed in reaching the goals we have set ourselves in the Paris Agreement. For shipping, this requires us to adopt new technologies and sustainable zero-emission fuels. The projects that Enova supports make an important contribution to this. Here, the entire breadth is covered from demand, distribution and use of hydrogen and ammonia, development of technology for CO2 capture on board ships, all-electric operation of ships as well as charging facilities for these.

Norwegian Minister for Environment and Climate Mr. Espen Barth Eide, Enova press release, 26 September 2023

The grants from Enova enable us to start realizing our plans for Viridis Bulk Carriers and Azane Fuel Solutions – build a fleet of ammonia-powered bulk carriers to decarbonise European short-sea shipping with an associated bunkering network.

André Risholm, Co-founder and board member of Viridis Bulk Carriers and Azane Fuel Solutions, Enova press release, 26 September 2023