World’s first in-service ship fuelled by ammonia
Technology group Wärtsilä signs deal with Norwegian shipowner Eidesvik on project to convert existing ship to run on ammonia fuel – aiming to reduce emissions by 70% compared to diesel.
Globally, the shipping industry produces about 3% of all global emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) including carbon dioxide – a percentage equivalent to that of major industrialised economies such as Germany. Tackling the emissions produced by shipping are vital in our united response to climate change.
Photo by Peter Tubaas at Vestland Media
Last year, the International Maritime Organisation adopted a revised strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from shipping, based on a series of ambitious steps. By 2030, the target is for international shipping to reduce emissions by at least 20% and ideally by 30%. By 2040, emissions should be reduced by at least 70%, ideally by 80%. By 2050, the international shipping should be carbon free.
As part of the strategy, the IMO commits to ensuring a greater uptake of zero and near-zero GHG fuels by 2030. That’s where the new agreement between tech group Wärtsilä and Norwegian shipowner Eidesvik is of such potential interest.
According to Wärtsilä, existing decarbonisation solutions such as fuel efficiency measures can cut the shipping industry’s emissions by a total of 27%. Sustainable fuels, it says, are the only way to make further reductions.
The company has been developing systems capable of running on ammonia. Initial reports suggest that this alternative fuel can reduce emissions by 70% compared to traditional diesel. But what’s really needed to make the case for ammonia is to see this technology deployed in a working vessel with results closely monitored.
That’s what the new agreement seeks to do. “Viking Energy”, an offshore platform supply vessel (PSV) currently under contract to energy major Equinor, will be converted to run on ammonia in early 2026. By June, it should be in operation – the world’s first in-service ship fuelled by ammonia.
Equinor is paying for the conversion. Wärtsilä will supply the Wärtsilä 25 Ammonia engine and complete ammonia solution, including its AmmoniaPac Fuel Gas Supply System, the Wärtsilä Ammonia Release Mitigation System (WARMS) and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system designed for ammonia. A service agreement, covering maintenance, is also included in the deal.
The three companies have worked together before on such pioneering projects. This new endeavour is supported by the ‘Apollo’ project, co-funded by the Horizon Europe framework programme which aims to accelerate the transition towards a climate-neutral Europe by 2050.
Håkan Agnevall, President and CEO of Wärtsilä, says: ‘In just 25 years – the lifetime of a single vessel – shipping needs to get to net zero emissions. Achieving this will require coordinated action by all maritime industry stakeholders to bring about the system change needed to accept a new generation of sustainable fuels. With this new contract, together with Eidesvik, Wärtsilä is proud to be at the forefront of this movement. Decarbonisation is front and centre of our strategy and we are committed to developing and delivering sustainable solutions which not only ensure the viability of sustainable fuels, but also their safety.’
Gitte Gard Talmo, CEO & President of Eidesvik Offshore, adds: ‘Close collaboration throughout the value chain is key to succeed in the green transition. Eidesvik has a unique history of pioneering the implementation of innovative emission-reducing technologies, and we are proud to spearhead yet another groundbreaking project together with Wärtsilä and Equinor.’
In related news:
Free guide on how to decarbonise manufacturing through digitalisation
Leave a Reply