Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners: two partnerships to develop ammonia-fueled vessels
By on December 12, 2024
Via its Energy Transition Fund subsidiary, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has signed MoUs with two shipping companies to develop ammonia-fueled, ammonia carrier vessels. The new vessels will help CIP ensure the “safe and efficient delivery” of ammonia from its planned production projects. Two different vessel sizes are being developed for different routes: a mid to large size gas carrier (50,000 m3) for deep-sea shipping, and handysize gas carriers (9,000 – 35,000 m3) for local distribution from import hubs.
Færder Tankers, Norway
Click to learn more. CIP and Færder’s new “WorkHorse” vessel design, featuring both ammonia propulsion, ammonia transportation and offshore ammonia bunkering capabilities. Source: Færder Tankers.
The 50,000 m3 “WorkHorse” vessel to be developed by CIP and Færder will feature a dual-fuel ammonia engine and full ammonia bunkering capabilities, including the ability to utilize cargo as fuel. The design will also feature a retractable bow thruster and aft thruster for increased manoeuvrability, maintaining the same physical dimensions as current midsize gas carriers. The first vessel is expected to be delivered in the second half of 2028, joining CIP’s future fleet of ammonia carriers.
These innovative vessels represent a breakthrough in design and functionality, combining state- of-the-art dual-fuel ammonia engines, superior manoeuvrability, and unparalleled bunkering capabilities—all within the trusted framework of today’s MGCs…By utilizing clean ammonia as both cargo and fuel, we are not only advancing the decarbonization of shipping but also enabling the seamless delivery of CIP’s clean ammonia projects to the global market.
Færder Tankers CEO, Capt. Paal Stenberg, in his organisation’s official press release, 26 Nov 2024
Epic Kosan, South Korea
CIP and Epic Kosan will work to develop a variety of handy-sized ammonia carriers, also featuring dual-fuel ammonia engines and bunkering capabilities. Epic Kosan currently operates a fleet of fifty gas carriers, and will time charter a number of these new dual-fuel ammonia gas carriers to CIP (or subsidiaries). The announcement indicates that Epic Kosan “serves as a crucial link” to gas supply and distribution chains in southeast Asia, as well as other global locations.
CIP also announced that it is in advanced discussions with “major shipping operators” to develop Very Large Ammonia Carriers (VLACs), which will also transport product from its portfolio of ammonia production projects.
Our objective is to facilitate the green transportation of clean ammonia by utilizing the cargo as fuel. Partnering with innovative shipping companies like BW Epic Kosan and Færder Tankers is crucial to achieving this goal and to lead in the field of clean ammonia. The dialogue with leading companies has given us valuable industry insights and the ability to develop safe and robust end-to-end bunkering solutions as well as first-hand knowledge about critical developments and maturity of solutions.
Niels Lindegaard, Senior Business Advisor, CIP in his organisation’s official press release, 26 Nov 2024