In our latest episode of Maritime Ammonia Insights, we explored the findings of a new, landmark environmental study: Ammonia at Sea. Speakers representing the report’s co-authors joined us to discuss the results, what further work is required and how the report is being incorporated into policy discussions at the IMO.
The pair will partner to develop a renewable hydrogen & ammonia project near Abu Dhabi, powered by 650 MW of solar PV in the first phase. The announcement adds to a growing portfolio of electrolysis and CCS-based ammonia projects in the UAE. Also in the Middle East, neighbouring Oman looks to position itself as the ideal “midway” ammonia bunker hub between Rotterdam and Singapore.
Three new ammonia-powered, bulk carrier designs have recently been awarded Approval in Principle. In China, SDTR Marine & SDARI’s Kamsarmax dual-fuel design received AiP from the China Classification Society. In Japan, another Kamsarmax-sized vessel developed by Sumitomo and Oshima Shipping was approved, and ClassNK has signed off on a Capemax vessel designed by MOL and Mitsui & Co., which includes an ammonia-powered main engine and hard sails to improve energy efficiency.
Hear more from the authors of the Ammonia at Sea report: an analysis of everything currently known about ammonia’s behaviour in the aquatic environment, plus the potential impacts of the use of ammonia as a marine fuel.
India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission includes more than $2 billion in direct government subsidies for both electrolyser manufacturing & the domestic production of electrolytic hydrogen using renewable electricity. On the ammonia front, ammonia-based fertiliser imports are set to be completely replaced by domestic production in 2034-5, and all major Indian ports will be required to establish ammonia bunkering & refueling facilities by 2035.
Global shipping group Monjasa will provide logistics services to distribute electrolytic ammonia produced at the under-development HØST PtX project in Esbjerg, Denmark. Part of the 600,000 tonne-per-year production volume will also be reserved for Monjasa to utilise as a bunker fuel.
IHI will explore the conversion of existing LNG import terminals into ammonia import facilities, allowing gas-fired power plants direct access to ammonia fuel. Mitsubishi Shipbuilding and INPEX have completed a conceptual design for a “highly flexible” ammonia bunkering vessel, putting another key piece of ammonia import infrastructure on the path to commercialisation.
In maritime ammonia updates this week:
New import terminals, energy hubs, bunker facilities & upgrades to existing ammonia storage facilities are underway across Europe. This week, we explore new project announcements in Wilhelmshaven, Brunsbüttel, Rotterdam and Immingham. We visit Taiwan for another ammonia import terminal announcement, and look at a new partnership between thyssenkrupp and ADNOC to deploy large-scale cracking - the “last piece of the puzzle” for global ammonia trading.
IHI Corporation has announced three new ammonia partnerships this month. In the UAE, it will embark on Dubai’s first “green” ammonia feasibility study with the Emirates National Oil Company Group, with a solar-powered pilot plant to be built. In Malaysia, IHI and Petronas subsidiary Gentari Hydrogen will explore ammonia production from solar power in Johor, Malaysia. And following its investment in US-based Starfire Energy in November, IHI and Japan-based Angel Navi will identify more decarbonisation venture opportunities in Japan and around the world.