23 industry players launch study on ammonia as alt marine fuel

A total of 23 companies have entered into a memorandum of understanding on joint study on ammonia as an alternative marine fuel. The 23 signatories of this Joint Study framework include Japanese chemical company, Ube Industries; ABS, Anglo American, Classnk, DNV, Equinor, Fortescue Metals, Genco Shipping & Trading , Jera, K-Line, Man Energy Solutions, Mitsui E&S Machinery, Nihon Shipyard, NS United, Pavilion Energy, TotalEnergies , Trafigura, Uniper SE, Uyeno Transtech, Vale, Vopak Terminal Singapore, Itochu Enex and Itochu. In line with the agreed procedure, common issues including (1) Safety assessment of NH3 fuel ship under guideline, (2) Safety assessment of NH3 bunkering, (3) NH3 fuel specification, and (4) NET CO2 emission at NH3 production, are going to be discussed in this framework, says Ube. Additionally, some NH3 producers, relevant international organisations, port authorities/regulators in potential bunkering countries may be asked to share their opinion, view, expertise and experience.

With global objective to transition to a decarbonised society since the Paris Agreement came into effect in 2016, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) adopted a strategy for the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the maritime industry in 2018, setting targets to reduce CO2 emissions per transport work – as an average across international shipping – by at least 40% by 2030 (compared to 2008 levels), to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% by 2050, and to phase them out entirely (zero-emissions) during this century. In order to achieve these goals, the early adoption of ammonia as a suitable zero emission, alternative marine fuel is one of the key elements.