A new round of Norwegian government funding has awarded a total of $68 million to a series of ammonia-fueled vessel projects, including a replacement freighter to service a key cargo and postal route to Svalbard, platform supply vessels, and the bunkering/distribution vessel MS Green Ammonia.
VNG will purchase up to 150,000 tons per year of renewable ammonia from 2029, supplying it directly to its German customers or cracking it on arrival and supplying hydrogen.
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners has signed MoUs with two shipping companies to develop vessels that will feature a dual-fuel ammonia engine and full ammonia bunkering capabilities. The new vessels will help CIP transport and distribute ammonia from its planned production projects.
In this Technology Insights article, we explore the different technology options for low-emission ammonia production from gas feedstock. What are the different energy, carbon capture, scale and maturity trade-offs that need to be considered? What technology choices are project developers currently making?
Wärtsilä has been contracted to supply the total technology package for the conversion of the Viking Energy to run on ammonia fuel. The original plan to retrofit the vessel with a 2 MW solid oxide fuel cell system was delayed by supply chain and development challenges, but SOFC developer Alma Clean Power will continue to test and scale its direct ammonia-fed technology for maritime applications.
Alma Clean Power is in the process of testing a modular, 100 kW, direct ammonia-to-electricity solid oxide fuel cell that will be able to be stacked to create larger power systems for maritime applications.
A new Scandinavian collaboration aims to transform Risavika and the wider Stavanger region as a bunkering hub for ammonia fuel, supplied by Iverson eFuels’ hydro-ammonia production project in Sauda.
The Norwegian Maritime Authority has approved the ammonia fuel system design to be deployed onboard the platform supply vessel Viking Energy. The system will directly feed 2 MW of solid oxide fuel cells, allowing for long-range, high power sailing of up to 3,000 hours per year.
New funding from the Norwegian government will assist two maritime ammonia developers: Amon Gas and Höegh Autoliners. Amon has confirmed orders for two ammonia-powered, mid-sized gas carriers, while Höegh will establish an ammonia fuel supply chain to ensure its Aurora Class car carriers can run on ammonia fuel on delivery in 2027.
Yara’s newly commissioned plant at Herøya Industrial Park will produce 10 tons per day of renewable hydrogen, enabling the production of 20,000 tons of renewable ammonia per year.