A series of new AiPs underlines momentum for marine ammonia fuel. For bunkering, barges and a range of jetty-less transfer terminals will enable safe operations. Fuel systems that can be retrofitted to existing vessels are also under development, as is an ammonia-powered “feeder” container vessel to complement larger designs.
Approval of interim guidelines for the use of maritime ammonia fuel is anticipated at an upcoming IMO committee meeting in December, giving the shipping industry its first international standard for the safe operation of vessels using marine ammonia fuel.
Hanwha Power Systems and GasLog will develop a comprehensive demonstration plan for the retrofit of existing large LNG carriers to be powered by ammonia gas turbines.
The American Bureau of Shipping has awarded AiP to a new ammonia bunkering articulated tug-barge design. The bunker barge will be compatible with several ammonia-powered vessels under development, and will begin commercial operations on the US east coast by 2030.
After a multi-year development process, Amogy has sailed its retrofitted tugboat for the first time on the Hudson River, north of New York City, fueled by renewable ammonia.
First Ammonia has closed a successful Series B funding round, including contributions from Asian investors Mercuria Holdings and Manies Group. Funding will go directly towards the construction of First Ammonia’s renewable production plant near the Port of Victoria, Texas.
Led by the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation, a consortium has successfully executed a ship-to-ship ammonia transfer in outer anchorage, simulating ammonia bunker fuel operations within a port for the first time.
The governments of Australia and Germany have agreed to establish a bilateral H2Global tender, contributing €200 million each to a joint auction. The process will be similar to a recently-concluded pilot auction for long-term ammonia exports from Egypt to Rotterdam, and a just-launched Canadian scheme.
The US Department of Energy will provide up to $1.6 billion in loan guarantees for Wabash Valley Resources to finance their CCS-based ammonia production project in Terre Haute, Indiana. Once completed, the project would be Indiana’s only ammonia plant, producing low-emission fertilizer for use in the US Corn Belt.
Ammonia energy giants JERA and Lotte will develop a low-carbon ammonia value chain between Japan and Korea, working alongside the governments of both countries.