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.
Asia
New ammonia-fueled container ship designs approved
Lloyd’s Register has awarded approval in principle to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ ultra large, 15,300 TEU container ship design. Meanwhile, the Chinese Classification Society has awarded AiP for a 3,500 TEU, Panamax ammonia dual fuel container ship.
Establishing commercial-scale ammonia handling capacity in Japan
Idemitsu and Mitsubishi Corporation are developing ammonia handling terminals in Japan to meet the production capacity of overseas projects, such as the million-ton-per-year Baytown project led by Exxon.
Australian, Canadian producers to supply ammonia for power generation to South Korea
Australia-based Pilot Energy has been approved as a potential low-emission ammonia fuel supplier under the newly-implemented Clean Hydrogen Production Standard (CHPS) scheme in Korea. In Alberta, Korea Southern Power will work with Hydrogen Canada Corporation to jointly develop a 1 million tons per year ammonia production facility.
AM Green taps engineering, electrolysis providers for renewable mega-project
John Cockerill will supply a total of 1.3 GW of alkaline electrolysers for AM Green’s under-development renewable ammonia plant in Kakinada, India. John Cockerill and Technip Energies joint venture Rely with full engineering and commissioning services, with ammonia production due to begin in late 2026. In related news, BASF and AM Green will explore offtake of 100,000 tons per year of renewable ammonia from India.