New ammonia fuel production plant for Florø, Norway

Fjord Base logistics hub to act as critical bunkering location

North Ammonia and Fjord Base Holding will develop a renewable ammonia production facility in Florø, Norway. Still in the early stages of product development, the partners will focus on required infrastructure, grid connection, and permitting before announcing more details. North Ammonia indicates that Linja (a Norwegian electricity network operator) and Statnett (the national electricity system operator) have assessed the project as “mature”, and it is currently in the queue for reservation of grid capacity.

Fjord Base is a highly suitable location for production of green ammonia based on existing industrial areas, infrastructure and maritime activity. The market for green ammonia is continuously developing and with stricter regulations related to emissions, particularly in the maritime sector, it is expected that the demand for zero-emission fuels will increase significantly from 2030.

CEO of North Ammonia, Mikkel Tørud in his organisation’s official press release, Dec 2024

Fjord Base has significant maritime activity, and access to locally produced green fuels for shipping will strengthen our position as a maritime hub, while providing positive ripple effects locally in terms of job creation. Production of green ammonia will create a foundation for circular economy value chains and thereby strengthen Fjord Base as a leading industrial cluster in the green transition.

CEO of Fjord Base Gruppen, Ole Schanke Eikum in North Ammonia’s official press release, Dec 2024

As indicated, Fjord Base is an existing maritime logistics hub in Norway. It services a significant amount of Norway’s offshore and platform service vessel fleet, critical to both the oil and gas and offshore wind industries. With a large amount of established infrastructure and land holdings already in place, Fjord Base is an ideal location for marine ammonia fuel.

Indeed, Yara and Azane have already received safety approvals from Norway’s Directorate for Civil Protection to construct their first ammonia bunker facility, consisting of one of Azane’s floating ammonia bunker barges, moored in place. Safety approvals were granted after extensive community engagement and public education programs, as well as work with local first responders. The barge will have a capacity of 650 tons of ammonia, and the permit allows for up to 416 bunker transfers annually.

In August 2024, Azane received Approval in Principle from DNV for an Ammonia Release Mitigation System (ARMS) to be installed aboard the barges. Connected to the barge’s fuel and engine systems, it will “gather” ammonia releases and ensure that ammonia emissions to the surroundings stay below the required thresholds.