The UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency has set out timelines and processes for operators of ammonia-fueled vessels to engage with authorities in preparation for operations in UK waters. Ammonia fuel is included in the Department of Transport’s first-ever Maritime Decarbonisation Strategy, with as much as 70% of the forecast fuel mix being ammonia by 2050.
The regulations send a clear signal to industry – business as usual operations will become significantly more expensive, and zero or near-zero (ZNZ) technologies and fuels represent one of the better opportunities to make deep emissions cuts. Following the historic vote at the IMO, we explore critical timelines for the new regulations, compliance thresholds, mechanisms for vessels to comply, and uncertainties that remain.
Adani Energy Solutions has had a $330 million transmission project approved that will supply power to its renewable hydrogen and ammonia project in Mundra, Gujarat. The first phase of the Mundra Green Hydrogen Hub will feature 1 million tons per year hydrogen production capacity, with ammonia to be utilized for coal co-firing, marine fuel, exports, and as a substitute for current feedstock imports into India.
The Newcastlemax vessel is expected to be delivered to Fortescue by the end of 2026, and will feature WinGD’s X‑DF‑A dual-fuel engine. The vessel is one of a series under construction at Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding in China.
Facilitated by the Port of Rotterdam, Trammo, OCI, James Fisher Fendercare successfully completed a ship-to-ship transfer of ammonia between two vessels berthed at APM Terminals Maasvlakte earlier this month. The successful pilot raises the Port of Rotterdam’s “Port Readiness Level” for marine ammonia fuel to the deployment phase.
More than half the awarded funding goes towards ammonia, including GW-scale projects led by Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and Moeve. IGNIS has also won funding for its maritime fuel-focused project in Coruña.
27 low-emission hydrogen projects have been shortlisted for funding by the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, including Statkraft’s marine ammonia fuel project in Shetland. The UK government has also confirmed that it will exempt electricity used in electrolysis from the Climate Change Levy - one of fourteen policy recommendations from the authors of the Splitting the Difference roadmap to reduce the price of producing electrolytic hydrogen in the UK by 58%.
Over the course of the demonstration, NYK analyzed the emission reductions achieved, with a peak of 94.4% reductions using 94.8% ammonia fuel under 75% engine load (similar results at 100% engine load).
The 20,000 ton, semi-submersible, energy self-sufficient platform will begin commercial trials in northeast China. Electrolytic hydrogen will be fed into methanol and ammonia production, targeting marine fuel and chemical feedstock markets.
At Singapore Maritime Week, Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore and Australia’s national science agency CSIRO announced funding for eight maritime decarbonization projects, including ammonia safety training, and an AI-based safety management system. MPA also signed agreements with ABS, the Ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp-Brugges, and confirmed it has contributed to early work on training guidelines for the safe handling of methanol and ammonia at the IMO.