FlexBulk - NH3 power

Flexible and Sustainable Ammonia-Powered Shipping The maritime industry is undergoing a significant transformation to meet the requirements for reduced emissions and sustainable operations. Ammonia has emerged as a promising zero-emission solution for shipping, but technological, regulatory, and safety challenges must be addressed before widespread implementation is possible. The FlexBulk project aims to develop a flexible and commercially viable ship design powered by ammonia, as well as optimize logistics for efficient operations. The project succeeded to develop a fully-fledged ship design ready for construction, featuring a commercially available ammonia-based propulsion system and an integrated fuel supply system. Additionally, the project focusesd on obtaining necessary approvals from classification societies and the Norwegian Maritime Authority, as well as conducting comprehensive risk assessments to minimize risk. An important subgoal has been to develop a logistics tool for optimal fleet operation in collaboration with SINTEF, ensuring cost-effective utilization of the vessels. The project has combined technological development, experimental analyses, and simulations to design a safe and efficient solution for ammonia-powered shipping. A key aspect of the work has been dialogue and workshops with charterers to understand market dynamics and future requirements for emission reductions. Additionally, the project has closely collaborated with the Green Platform project "Ammonia Fuel Bunkering Network" to ensure that the development of bunkering solutions aligns with the ship design. Through the project, the partners have gained extensive knowledge about ammonia-powered shipping, from concept development to commercialization. This expertise can be transferred to new projects, likely resulting in several realized low- and zero-emission ships in the future. Furthermore, through continuous dialogue with classification societies and authorities, the project has contributed to the regulatory development for using ammonia as a fuel, ensuring that the solution is both safe and commercially viable. The FlexBulk project represents a crucial step towards a sustainable maritime sector. By developing technical solutions, improving logistics, and contributing to regulatory development, the project will accelerate the transition to zero-emission solutions in shipping. This will not only have a positive climate impact but also strengthen Norway’s position as an innovative player in the green shift within the maritime industry.

Outcomes: A successful completion of the R&D phase, with a fully developed ship design ready for construction. The design includes a commercially available NH3 power system with a fuel gas supply system fully integrated, all relevant principal approvals granted by classification societies and the Norwegian Maritime Authority, and a comprehensive risk assessment was conducted in order to de-risk the project as much as possible. A cargo logistics optimization tool develop by SINTEF, which are able to simulate and determine the most cost-efficient utilization of a short sea bulk carrier fleet. Based on dialogue and workshops with charterers the project obtained good understanding of the market dynamics and how current and future regulations for decarbonization will likely impact the market. Through close collaboration with the Green Platform project "Ammonia Fuel Bunkering Network", the FlexBulk project has obtained good knowledge on ammonia bunkering and the threshold for implementation, in addition to align the technical development of the bunkering solution with the ship design. Impact: The largest impact of the project has been the extensive acquired knowledge for the partners on all relevant aspects of ammonia fuelled shipping, from concept design to commercializtion. Each project partner has the ability to bring their newly acquired competence into similar or other projects and it is highly likely that the FlexBulk project will one day lead to numerous realised low- or zero-emission shipping projects. Through continous dialogue with both class and flag authorities regarding the rules and regulations for the use of ammonia as a fuel, the project has been able to influence and contribute to the regulatory development for it the be both safe, but at the same time commercially and technically viable.

The project consortium partners will realize a carbon free short sea bulk transportation service comprising cargo-, ships- and fuel logistics. The project will develop, build and operate short sea bulk carriers with zero carbon emissions, utilizing ammonia (NH3) as fuel, supported by batteries, holistically designed for safety and commercial requirements. A cargo logistics model, optimally combining cargo flows from the Client Partners, will be developed to maximize ship utilization and thus decrease cost impact from utilizing a carbon free fuel. Through close cooperation with the Green Platform supported “Ammonia fuel bunkering network”, necessary fuel logistics to serve the ships will be secured. The project aims to lay the foundation for a new, zero emission ship construction boom for the Norwegian maritime cluster, cutting emissions of both greenhouse gases and atmospheric pollutants altogether and creating significant value at the same time. The chosen target market for the project is the short sea bulk segment, but the technology being developed is applicable for most deepsea shipping segments. The project will thus be an enabler, catalyst and accelerator of the green shift in the international shipping industry.