Japan Engine Corporation (J-ENG) announced that it has completed test operations on its low-speed, 2-stroke engine, with installation and subsequent trial operations due to begin in April 2025. Installation will be onboard one of the first ammonia-fueled vessels to hit the water: the NYK-led midsized gas carrier project.
EDF Group has joined Abraxas Power to jointly develop the Exploits Valley Renewable Energy hydrogen and ammonia project in central Newfoundland, Canada. The equity partners aim to reach FID in 2026.
To open the AEA’s 2024 Annual Conference in New Orleans, H2Global Managing Director Timo Bollerhey presented updates from the “green market maker”. To meet global climate targets, we need to accelerate market creation and maturation, and push past key tipping points. H2Global does this by bridging the green premium gap between sellers and buyers and facilitating transactions for clean commodities. A successful first ammonia auction was concluded in 2024, informing plans for a second, larger, truly global auction round that will be launched in the near future.
The AEA and like minded organizations delivered two urgent calls to action at COP29. These documents outline practical actions needed from governments in the next one-to-two years to stimulate demand for clean hydrogen and ammonia. Now through 2025 and 2026, the AEA, its coalition partners, and all our industry members need to channel these messages into national and local policies to scale demand for clean molecules.
2024 has seen successful funding rounds for a number of ammonia energy startups, ranging in focus from catalyst development to next-generation, modular synthesis technologies.
More than 50 leaders across the shipping value chain joined a Call to Action to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission fuels. Amongst the signatories of the Call to Action was Fortescue, which now has partnerships with Höegh Autoliners and COSCO Shipping to accelerate the deployment of ammonia-powered vessels.
ADNOC has announced $2 billion in infrastructure funding for key export enablers in Al Ruwais, including roads and a new port with dedicated chemical terminals. The new port will enable the export of CCS-based ammonia from 2027, with ADNOC’s plant currently under-construction.
Both have announced partnerships and production projects aimed at the decarbonisation of steel production. Utilizing a similar approach from their large-scale ammonia projects, the pair will develop hubs in Mauritania and Brazil, producing hot-briquetted iron for export to Europe.
During the recent 2024 Ammonia Energy Conference, we explored all the latest developments in ammonia-powered maritime propulsion. Engine makers reported strong progress ahead of deployment in 2026, the same year that large-scale vessels will hit the water. The panel explored early operations for the ammonia-powered A-Tug in Japan, as well as ancillary technology systems required for maritime ammonia engines, catalyst after-treatment systems for emission mitigation, and the potential for fuel additives to boost ammonia engine performance.
Avina Clean Hydrogen announced that it has been issued a final air permit for the facility, clearing a key set of environmental and regulatory hurdles. The project has already secured pre-certification under the EU’s RFNBO standards, as well as South Korea’s official Clean Hydrogen Pre-Certification program.