MAN Energy Solutions has announced that the first SCR catalytic converter for a marine ammonia engine has passed factory tests and been delivered to Japan. Produced in China by stainless steel specialists BUTTING, the unit is designed to significantly reduce NOx emissions from ammonia combustion engines.
8 Rivers will develop the 880,000 tonnes-per-year production facility in Port Arthur, Texas. Utilizing its proprietary 8RH2 hydrogen production process - where captive CO2 molecules are continuously recycled and utilized - 8 Rivers plans to produce ammonia for local use & export markets, including power generation in South Korea.
Clarksons Research and DNV have provided their analysis of global ship orders for 2023. Last year saw the first orders for ammonia-fueled vessels, with container ships & car carriers dominating the order book for alternative fuel propulsion ships. But UMAS & the Global Maritime Forum warn that the current order book trajectory may only be a fifth of what is needed to achieve the IMO’s 2030 target for alternative fuel uptake.
In our latest episode of Ammonia Project Features, we explored Project Iracema: a grid-connected, renewable ammonia production facility under-development in Pecem, northeast Brazil. To discuss Brazil’s unique electricity market, project details and the important role of certification to the project, AEA Technology Manager Kevin Rouwenhorst was joined by Jonas Rechreche (Proton Ventures), Matheus Kleming (Casa dos Ventos) and Ricardo Gedra (CCEE).
MHI has successfully combustion-tested its ammonia single-fuel burners. The tests confirmed that the burners are capable of complete and stable combustion, producing reduced NOx emissions relative to coal firing. The test will now be run at a larger scale to simulate actual operations.
Fortescue is developing a 225,000 tonnes per year renewable ammonia project in western Norway. The Holmaneset Project has received over €200 million grant from the EU’s Innovation Fund. Fortescue also secured 300 MW renewable power supply from Statkraft.
For producers to qualify for 45V tax credits, the US Treasury has proposed a set of new rules for renewable hydrogen that closely align with EU standards. The three pillars approach already adopted by the EU is proposed, as is the use of Argonne National Laboratory’s GREET model for lifecycle emissions analysis.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and six Japanese ports will establish a “Green and Digital Shipping Corridor” between the two countries. The partners will embark on pilot projects and trials for alternative maritime fuels including ammonia, and work together to develop the necessary bunkering infrastructure, regulatory & training standards.
To power its global HQ and key manufacturing complex in Hiroshima, Mazda plans to completely substitute the fuel supply at MCM Energy Service coal power plant away from coal by 2035, enabling “power generation based solely on the combustion of liquid ammonia”. The fuel switch is part of a broader strategy to achieve carbon neutrality across global operations by 2035.
Wärtsilä’s 4-stroke ammonia engine is now commercially available. Meanwhile, WinGD and CMB.TECH’s plan for newbuild vessels based on WinGD’s 72-bore ammonia engine design has been underwritten in partnership with China State Shipbuilding Corporation.