MEPs have voted to adopt the FuelEU Maritime Initiative, a suite of measures that will drive decarbonisation of shipping in the EU. From 2030, at least 2% of the yearly average energy used onboard a vessel must be met with Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin, with an option to revise this requirement by 2028 at the latest.
Saudi-based ACWA Power has signed agreements to explore the overseas production of hydrogen & ammonia with two organisations: South Korean power utility KEPCO, and government-owned finance body the Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa.
In our latest episode of Maritime Ammonia Insights, we delved into an exciting new project for maritime ammonia: the Bornholm Bunkering Hub. Maja Bendtsen (Port of Roenne), Jan Gramkov (Rambøll) and Nicklas Koch (DBI) presented the feasibility, safety management & public perception work currently in progress, as well as the steps still required to formalise a plan forward for the hub by 2025. Early & repeated engagement with the local community, rigorous & standardised assessment of potential risks and utilising learnings from other industries were all emphasized by the speakers as key to realising the project.
This week we explore three new partnerships for CCS-based ammonia production in the USA:
Nanyang Technical University, the Singapore Maritime Institute, ASTI and the American Bureau of Shipping have released their long-awaited report into safety considerations for ammonia bunkering. The report identifies the highest-risk bunkering scenarios, uses theoretical release simulations to determine maximum impact distances, and outlines the key requirements for developing mitigation measures going forward.
Cepsa and the Port of Rotterdam will establish a green maritime corridor between southern and northern Europe. Renewable hydrogen will be produced near the Bay of Algeciras (Spain) and exported to Rotterdam, with ammonia and methanol both listed as potential vectors. The pair expect the corridor to be operational by 2027. This week the Port of Rotterdam also announced that a potential green maritime corridor to the Port of Gothenburg, Sweden is under development.
Fortescue Future Industries and Incitec Pivot will progress plans to convert the Gibson Island ammonia production facility to run on renewable hydrogen feedstock. A grant from Australian government body ARENA will help FEED work begin immediately, with FID expected around 2025. We also explore more renewable project updates from Peru and Chile.
For the latest episode of Ammonia Project Features, we explored the ongoing renewable ammonia project in Puertollano, Spain. Marc van Doorn (Grupo Fertiberia) and Imanol Arrizabalaga Prado (Nel ASA) discussed progress to date and technologies used at the first large-scale, electrolysis-based hydrogen facility in Europe, which is operated by renewable energy developer Iberdrola. We also considered what other pioneering projects are on the horizon, and how can electrolyzer manufacturers like Nel scale-up to meet growing demand?
Thailand’s state-owned oil & gas organisation PTT and Singapore-based AET Tankers have agreed to jointly develop two dual-fuel Aframax vessels, with the intention of powering them with ammonia fuel. AET will select a shipyard for construction, with the two vessels to be delivered to PTT for long-term charters by early 2026.
Deutsche Bahn and Fortescue Future Industries will collaborate to modify existing locomotive diesel engines to run on hydrogen & ammonia fuel. The pair will utilise Ammonigy’s ammonia cracking technology in their design, with a prototype, bench-top engine currently undergoing testing in Germany. This week FFI also signed an agreement to develop a new energy import terminal in Wilhelmshaven.