MaritimeNH3 - Enabling implementation of ammonia as maritime fuel

MaritimeNH3 develops and disseminates knowledge contributing to technology advancements in the ammonia (NH3) value chain for enabling implementation of NH3 as a maritime fuel. There is general agreement that shipping must find more environmentally friendly fuels. The International Maritime Organization has committed to reducing GHG emissions at least 50% by 2050, while Norway aims at a climate-neutral fleet by 2050. NH3 is a promising alternative to traditional oil-based fuels. For Norway, this introduces the possibility to use emission-free electricity to produce NH3 for the shipping sector, and by that cut emissions, create jobs, and generate export revenues. For NH3-fuelled shipping to materialize, several issues must be solved. Manufacturers must overcome technical and safety hurdles, and issues in design of NH3 engines and fuel cells must be solved. Port operators and fuel suppliers must build safe and flexible bunkering terminals, and energy companies and governments must invest heavily to produce enough carbon-free NH3. There is a strong need for increased awareness and social acceptance of NH3 as a safe fuel. MaritimeNH3 is a knowledge generating project (KSP) associated with the Green Platform (GP) project "Ammonia fuel bunkering network", which aims to realizing an NH3 bunkering network in Norway. MaritimeNH3 supports the GP project by developing new models for simulation of NH3 dispersion for improved safety in bunkering installations, and improved methods for techno-economic analysis and GHG assessments of the whole NH3 value chain that will facilitate stakeholder decision making. Through experiment and modelling activities, the project will improve fuel cell lifetimes and engine combustion, providing vital technological advancements. Other activities include efforts to increase the social acceptance for NH3 as a safe maritime fuel and to disseminate results to targeted stakeholders. Duration: 2021-2024

Across the maritime industry, there is general agreement that shipping must undergo a rapid energy transition. IMO has committed to reduce GHG emissions at least 50% by 2050, while Norway aims at a climate-neutral fleet by 2050. Ammonia (NH3) is projected to be one of the leading alternatives to traditional oil-based fuels. For Norway, this introduces the possibility to use emission-free electricity, or carbon capture and storage, to produce NH3 for the shipping sector, and by that both cut emissions and create jobs and export revenues. For NH3-fuelled shipping to materialize, several issues must be solved. Manufacturers must overcome key technical hurdles and safety issues in the design of NH3 engines and fuel cells. Port operators and fuel suppliers must build safe and flexible bunkering infrastructure, and energy companies and governments must make heavy investments to produce enough carbon-free NH3. There is also a strong need for increased awareness and social acceptance of NH3 as a safe fuel. The Green Platform main project "Ammonia fuel bunkering network" aims to realize an NH3 bunkering network. KSP "MaritmeNH3" supports the main project by developing and disseminating new knowledge to facilitate the realisation of cost-efficient and safe use of NH3 as a maritime fuel: New models for simulation of ammonia dispersion, accounting for the hygroscopicity, will be developed such that safety measures for NH3 bunkering installations can be improved. Improved methods for techno-economic analysis and GHG assessments of the whole NH3 value chain will provide a framework for stakeholder decision making. The project will through experiment and modelling improve fuel cell lifetimes and engine combustion respectively, providing technological advancements necessary for end-use in engines and fuel cells. Effective dissemination of project result, dedicated for various stakeholder, will pave the way for faster implementation of NH3 as a maritime fuel.