Ammonia News

DNV has released a competence standard (ST) for methanol and a recommended practice (RP) for ammonia, to enable crew and shipowners to tackle the safety risks and challenges posed by the introduction of new alternative fuels and technologies through shipping’s decarbonization.While new fuels and technologies are key to achieving maritime decarbonization, their adoption necessitates robust safety and competence frameworks.According to DNV’s Alternative Fuels Insights platform,…

Researchers at Stanford University and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia have developed a prototype device that can produce ammonia using wind energy to draw air through a mesh.The approach is an alternative to the traditional method that produces ammonia by combining nitrogen and hydrogen at high pressures and temperatures. This existing method consumes 2% of global energy and contributes 1% of annual carbon dioxide emissions from its reliance on natural gas.The study…

In light of the evolving regulatory landscape for ammonia as a maritime fuel, and the recent finalization of the IMO’s draft interim guidelines on ammonia, the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) has withdrawn Unified Requirement UR H1, “Control of Ammonia Releases in Ammonia Fuelled Vessels.”The news comes ahead of its scheduled implementation date of January 1, 2025. IACS says the decision stems from the differences between its safety parameters and those outlined in the IMO Interim Guidelines.

WinGD won additional orders for its ammonia-fuelled X-DF-A engine design in the growing ammonia carrier market. The engines, to be built at Yuchai Marine Power Co, will be delivered for a total of seven 25,000 cu. m. and 41,000 cu. m. LPG/ammonia carriers ordered by Tianjin Southwest Shipping. The vessels will deploy 5- and 6-cylinder versions of the 52-bore X-DF-A engines and are scheduled to enter service from Q3 2026.The orders will be built by Huangpu Wenchong Shipbuilding, a shipyard with strong experience in the construction of small- and medium-sized gas carriers.

A landmark partnership to develop the safety guidelines for ship-to-ship ammonia bunkering has been established through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between KR (Korean Register), HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI), KSS Line, and the Liberian Registry.As the demand for ammonia-fueled vessels rises, this partnership aims to establish robust safety standards for STS ammonia bunkering, an efficient method for supplying fuel to ammonia-fueled vessels.The safe bunkering of alternative fuels…

At one of the world's biggest bulk export ports in Western Australia, shippers safely completed the first transfer of ammonia from one vessel to another last month, a key test for its adoption as a marine fuel in the push for cleaner energy.The first cargo ships powered by ammonia are set to enter service in 2026, one of several alternatives the industry is tapping to shrink a carbon footprint that contributes nearly 3% of global emissions.But ammonia faces major cost and safety hurdles as a shipping fuel compared to liquefied natural gas (LNG)…

DNV has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) to HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HD HHI) for its 15K TEU ammonia dual-fuelled container vessel design.This award follows the successful completion of a joint development project aimed at addressing the challenges associated with using ammonia as a marine fuel.The project focused on developing cutting-edge designs to enhance safety, including an optimized ammonia tank design, advanced fire safety systems, enhanced ammonia release mitigation…

The shipping industry is looking into ammonia as an alternative fuel for powering ships, amid other ongoing plans to cut carbon emissions and achieve net-zero by 2050.Here is a list of companies with ammonia-fuelled ship projects:NIPPON YUSEN KAISHA (NYK)NYK, with IHI Power Systems and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK), completed the world's first ammonia-fuelled tugboat, Sakigake, on Aug. 23. The vessel will operate in Tokyo Bay for three months.NYK is also building the world's first ammonia-fuelled medium gas carrier…

MAN Energy Solutions has set out to create a four-stroke, medium-speed, dual-fuel test engine that operates on ammonia.The company on Tuesday announced the initiation of the ‘AmmoniaMot 2’ research project, building on its recent success with the world’s first two-stroke ammonia engine. Launched in partnership with various industry and research institutions and is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), the project kicked off in August 2024 and will span approximately 3.5 years.

ABS has completed a safety evaluation of ammonia dispersion on board an ammonia-fueled gas turbine LNG carrier design from Hanwha Ocean.ABS, in collaboration with Hanwha Ocean, conducted computational fluid dynamics simulations that modeled different ammonia release scenarios due to accidental leakages from the engine room, the pipeline and the bunkering stations on deck.The analysis confirmed that the system complied with applicable ABS Rules regarding the toxicity and risks of accumulated ammonia gas.

The Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD) and Hanwha Ocean have announced a five-year strategic partnership to advance low and zero carbon fuels, energy efficiency technologies and onboard carbon capture.The GCMD was established as a non-profit organization in 2021 founded by BHP, BW Group, Eastern Pacific Shipping, Foundation Det Norske Veritas, Ocean Network Express and Seatrium. GCMD also receives funding from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), and bp…

Singapore-based liner company Ocean Network Express (ONE) has released its Sustainability Report 2024 which indicates that it has achieved a 62% reduction in Scope 1 emissions intensity in FY2023 from a 2008 baseline.These efforts have yielded a 21% reduction in emissions intensity from 2018 to 2023.ONE has also received approval in principle for an ammonia dual vessel along with an investment in 12 13,000 TEU methanol dual-fueled vessels. The newly constructed container ships are slated for delivery in 2027.

WinGD introduced an option for its X-DF-A ammonia-fuelled engines to be delivered capable of running on liquified petroleum gas (LPG), a ‘pre-fit’ solution that could be of interest to vessels under construction for the anticipated global trade in ammonia, which will also be capable of transporting LPG.Named X-DF-P for the propane that is LPG’s primary component, the solution will be released to enable first engine deliveries in 2027, when operators are likely to be considering in detail their anticipated balance between the LPG and ammonia trades.

AW Shipping, a joint venture between ADNOC L&S and Wanhua Chemical Group, has awarded contracts worth $250 million to China’s Jiangnan Shipyard for two additional Very Large Ammonia Carriers (VLACs).The VLACs each have a carrying capacity of 93,000 cubic meters of ammonia, making them among the largest ammonia carriers in the world.Scheduled to be delivered between 2027 and 2028, the vessels will be equipped with energy-efficient dual-fuel engines capable of operating on liquefied petroleum gas or conventional fuels.

New standards for bunkering methanol and ammonia will be developed by 2024 and 2025 respectively, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said on Wednesday.The world's largest vessel refueling hub is preparing for higher uptake of alternative bunker fuels, which shippers are considering using to help lower carbon emissions."The standards will cover custody transfer requirements, safety procedures and crew competencies, to ensure safe bunkering operations and handling of these fuels," MPA said in a statement issued during SIBCON 2024.There are currently no detailed standards or estab

NYK and TB Global Technologies Ltd. (TBG) received a certificate for approval in principle (AiP) from Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) for the ship-to-ship supply of fuel ammonia. The AIP was conferred last week at Gastech in Houston.The most distinctive feature of the boom is a TBG-developed emergency-release system that allows the connection between an ammonia-fueled vessel and an ammonia bunkering vessel (ABV) to be disconnected instantly in an emergency.In acquiring the AiP, NYK provided design data for its in-house developed ABV.

An ammonia fuel supply system that can be retrofitted to existing vessels or installed on newbuilds has earned approval in principle (AIP) from ABS.The ammonia fuel supply system from Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases features high efficiency pumps and an integrated fuel management system.Konstantinos Fakiolas, Director of Marine, Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases, said: “Nikkiso’s FSS for ammonia is designed under the principles of redundancy, enhanced reliability…

ABS has awarded approval in principle for two new autonomous technologies from HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI).The Unmanned Ammonia Engine Room technology allows for a remote propulsion control station with gas safety technology on the navigation bridge of an ammonia-fueled vessel with the capability to monitor the machinery space. The centralized control station can be periodically unattended and can take automated…

Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) developed the emergency response plan for the recent ammonia ship-to-ship transfer pilot conducted at the Port of Dampier in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.The operation was a a tripartite collaboration between the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation (GCMD), Pilbara Ports and Yara Clean Ammonia (YCA).Two transfers took place between the Green Pioneer, owned by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), a 35,000 cubic meters (cbm) ammonia carrier, and the Navigator Global, owned by Navigator Gas, a 22,500 cbm ammonia carrier.

The initial design for a new ammonia bunkering articulated tug-barge (ATB) has been granted approval in principle (AIP) from classification society the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).The partners behind the project, including ABS, A.P. Moller – Maersk A/S, Fleet Management Limited, Georgia Ports Authority, Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping (MMMCZCS), Sumitomo Corporation and TOTE Services, came together in March 2023 and have been conducting a feasibility study on ship-to-ship bunkering of reduced emission ammonia along the U.S.

McDermott and BW Offshore have entered into a collaboration to advance the technical and commercial viability of offshore blue ammonia production aboard a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) facility.The strategic partnership aims to enable a viable pathway for offshore blue ammonia production, contributing to the global transition to low-carbon energy sources, and reinforcing both companies' commitment to sustainable energy practices.The collaboration will leverage…

American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) has issued approvals in principle (AiPs) for a range of jetty-less new energy terminal concepts to move frequent, large-volume ammonia transfers away from shore, developed by SBM Offshore’s division IMODCO Terminals.IMODCO is applying a proven jetty-less system for moving crude oil to support the supply chain for new fuels such as ammonia.ABS reviewed the designs for IMODCO’s Catenary Anchor Leg Mooring (CALM) buoy, CALM soft yoke and Tower Loading Unit (TLU)…

KR (Korean Register) has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) to Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for its 9,300 TEU ammonia-fueled container ship.The development of the 9,300 TEU ammonia-fueled container vessel marks a key step in advancing ammonia fueled propulsion technology, according to KR.SHI has developed an entirely new structural layout and the vessel’s design which includes specialized fuel tanks, fuel supply systems, ventilation, and gas detection systems, incorporating the unique properties of ammonia fuel.KR verified this newly developed vessel’s design and ammonia fuel system…