2025 is a critical year for the adoption of ammonia fuel in shipping. Here, we preview important upcoming meetings of the International Maritime Organization, what regulatory gaps are being filled by this work, potential candidates for decarbonization measures, and progress in engine development. All this sets the scene for incredible progress to be made in the coming years.
TÜV Rheinland has pre-certified Mintal’s renewable ammonia project in northern China. The ammonia produced will be RFNBO-compliant, giving Mintal access to the lucrative EU market.
Starting in 2027, Hygenco will produce ammonia compliant with the EU’s RFNBO standard. Pre-certification from CertifHy enables access to key European markets, and marks another project milestone achieved in recent months.
TFI and Ammonia Europe have both launched voluntary certification schemes, aiming to help ammonia producers verify the emissions footprint of their products and attract customers. Both schemes have informed the development of the AEA’s umbrella certification scheme, which is now progressing to the pilot stage.
Korea Southern Power will co-fire ammonia at Unit 1 of the KOSPO-owned Samcheok Bitdream Headquarters power plant, likely sourcing the ammonia fuel from Pilot Energy’s Mid West Clean Energy Project in Australia.
To open the AEA’s 2024 Annual Conference in New Orleans, H2Global Managing Director Timo Bollerhey presented updates from the “green market maker”. To meet global climate targets, we need to accelerate market creation and maturation, and push past key tipping points. H2Global does this by bridging the green premium gap between sellers and buyers and facilitating transactions for clean commodities. A successful first ammonia auction was concluded in 2024, informing plans for a second, larger, truly global auction round that will be launched in the near future.
Avina Clean Hydrogen announced that it has been issued a final air permit for the facility, clearing a key set of environmental and regulatory hurdles. The project has already secured pre-certification under the EU’s RFNBO standards, as well as South Korea’s official Clean Hydrogen Pre-Certification program.
