Scene-setting for ammonia in the marine industry: propulsion systems, FPSOs & jettyless tech

By Geofrey Njovu on August 11, 2023

Increased industry interest for ammonia-capable LPG tankers

As the adoption of carbon-neutral fuels such as renewable ammonia increases, cargo pump supplier Svanehoj expects an increased demand for ammonia-capable LPG cargo pumps. Source: Svanehoj.
Click to learn more. As the adoption of carbon-neutral fuels such as renewable ammonia increases, cargo pump supplier Svanehoj expects an increased demand for ammonia-capable LPG cargo pumps. Source: Svanehoj.

Svanehoj is a leading global supplier of cargo pumps for LPG tankers. The Denmark-based company has revealed this week that it expects its order book to feature an increasing proportion of ammonia-capable pumps: from 25% in 2019 to 67% by 2024.

One of Svanehøj’s upcoming LPG/ammonia projects is an order from LGE for the supply of ammonia-ready cargo pumps for five very large gas carriers (VLGCs) to be built at Hyundai Heavy Industries. The order includes 40 cargo pumps and 10 booster pumps.

In Svanehøj, we take pride in being flexible and adapting solutions to suit any challenges a shipowner or a shipyard may encounter. As no one yet knows what types of fuel will become dominant in the future, we at Svanehøj are in a strong position with our multigas technology, which enables a ship to adapt according to developments in the market and changing legislations.

Johnny Houmann, Svanehøj CSO in his organisation’s official press release, 31 July 2023

Navantia Seanergies & H2SITE: ammonia cracking for hydrogen propulsion in submarines

Navantia Seanergies and H2SITE have partnered to develop onboard, hydrogen-based power generation systems for marine applications. The partners will develop onboard membrane reactor systems capable of producing high-purity hydrogen fuel from methanol or ammonia. Navantia has already developed hydrogen-based power technology for S80 class submarines. It now aims to launch new solutions based on renewable hydrogen-derived fuels like ammonia and methanol.

H2SITE’s membrane-based technology converts ammonia and methanol into high-purity hydrogen, at high conversion efficiency. The systems have been tested in pilot-scale terrestrial and maritime applications. Through strategic collaborations, H2SITE will seek to scale its technology for larger applications.

We will leverage the experience gained from developing hydrogen propulsion for the S80 and foster alliances that make us a leading player in the hydrogen value chain. We aim to contribute to the decarbonization of the naval sector through the use of sustainable fuels and cutting-edge national technology.

Amós Fuentes, Director of Hydrogen at Navantia Seanergies in his organisation’s official press release, 28 July 2023

The collaboration with Navantia represents an opportunity for H2SITE to integrate our hydrogen production systems into the maritime environment. For H2SITE, it means acting in a sector responsible for 2% of global emissions, where we believe we can make a relevant contribution.

Andrés Galnares, H2SITE CEO in Navantia’s official press release, 28 July 2028

Industrial-scale floating renewable ammonia production

thyssenkrupp Uhde will support SwitcH2 and its partners in developing FPSO vessels for renewable hydrogen and ammonia production. The project has the Dutch govt’s backing, having received a €3 million grant in support. Source: thyssenkrupp Uhde.
Click to learn more. thyssenkrupp Uhde will support SwitcH2 and its partners in developing FPSO vessels for renewable hydrogen and ammonia production. The project has the Dutch govt’s backing, having received a €3 million grant in support. Source: thyssenkrupp Uhde.

thyssenkrupp Uhde will support project OFFSET (a consortium led by SwitcH2 B.V.) in its plans to develop an industrial-scale floating renewable hydrogen and ammonia production and storage facility. The plant will be connected to an adjacent offshore wind farm by 2027, with a design based on the floating production and offloading vessel (FPSO) concept. The project received a €3 million grant in April 2023 from the Dutch government. Other consortium members are BW Offshore (BWO), MARIN, TU Delft and Strohm.

In March 2023, SwitcH2 received Approval in Principle from DNV on its FPSO design for offshore renewable ammonia production. As part of the AiP process, BWO developed the topside arrangement, hull, and mooring system design for the FPSO based on thyssenkrupp Uhde’s ammonia synthesis technologies.

The green transformation is the biggest challenge humanity has ever faced, and we are proud to be one of the transformation enablers with our solutions and innovations at thyssenkrupp Uhde. To stop climate change, we have developed technologies that make sustainability feasible for businesses, reduce the carbon footprint of industrial value chains, and accelerate the growth of renewable energy. This is exactly what motivated us to develop our green ammonia technology.

Dr. Cord Landsmann, thyssenkrupp Uhde CEO in his organisation’s official press release, 3 August 2023

Iverson & ECOnnect: jettyless hydrogen & ammonia handling in Norway

Iverson eFuels aims to integrate ECOnnect’s jettyless IQuay solution into its hydrogen and ammonia production plan in Sauda, southeast Norway. The plant is expected to produce 200,000 tonnes per year of renewable ammonia once operational. Source: ECOnnect Energy.
Click to learn more. Iverson eFuels aims to integrate ECOnnect’s jettyless IQuay solution into its hydrogen and ammonia production plan in Sauda, southeast Norway. The plant is expected to produce 200,000 tonnes per year of renewable ammonia once operational. Source: ECOnnect Energy.

Iverson eFuels AS (a Hy2Gen, CIP & Trafigura joint venture) and ECOnnect Energy will collaborate to implement jettyless ammonia transfer technology at Iverson’s 200,000 tonnes per year renewable ammonia project based in Sauda, Norway.

The two partners will conduct a study for jettyless ammonia transfer technology based on ECOnnect’s IQuay C-Class solution. The IQuay technology uses cryogenic hoses with adjustable distance and terminal configurations to facilitate multi-gas transfer. It has the capacity to handle LNG, ammonia, hydrogen, and CO2.

The technology made history with the world’s first jettyless, floating transfer of LNG in 2017. This has led to adaptation in different applications including upstream LNG and renewable ammonia production and downstream carbon-free fuel and CCS. The “flexible” systems are suitable for permanent or semi-permanent installations and “can be connected to any floating storage unit (FSU) or floating storage regasification unit (FSRU)”, with capacity to “operate in harsh offshore conditions.”

As part of this partnership, ECOnnect Energy will conduct a pre-FEED study. Simultaneously, Iverson e-Fuels will monitor the development of multiple bunkering solutions to enable ammonia transfer to ships safely and flexibly.

We are proud to be selected by Iverson eFuels to contribute to their important project and potential for ammonia. Our IQuay allows for ammonia, gas, and LNG transfer operations in all conditions with rapid deployment, consistent with Iverson’s approach to energy infrastructure development.

Morten Christophersen, CEO of ECOnnect Energy in his organisation’s official press release, 9 August 2023

Having a safe and flexible transfer solution is of great value to our project. The ECOnnect solution enables us to efficiently load the ammonia on ships and distribute our green ammonia to the market. We are looking forward to collaborating with ECOnnect to develop a complete value chain for the production and distribution of green ammonia.

Hege Økland, MD of Iverson eFuels AS, in ECOnnect’s official press release, 9 August 2023