Ammonia as a Marine-Fuel Source
A cross-sector group of Japanese companies is looking into launching commercial Ammonia-fueled vehicles in addition to creating Ammonia supply infrastructure as part of an initiative to provide its shipping industry with an alternate source of marine fuel in order to reduce its carbon footprint.
The companies that make up this group include shipbuilder, Imabari Shipbuilding, the engineering firm, Mitsui E&S Machinery and Japanese trading firm Itochu and its energy trading department, Itochu Enex. The agreement proposes the development of commercial vessels using ammonia-fueled engines as its main source.
The development and design part of the process will be handled by Imabari, who has previous experience in the design on alternative fuel marine vehicles(LNG and LPG).
In addition to the three companies mentioned above, German automaker, VW’s largest engine unit, as well as MAN energy solutions will play important roles throughout the process. MAN will work with Mitsui to create the engine.
With significant potential to be a source of alternative marine fuel, Ammonia has been an area of interest for the shipping industry as it looks to reduce its carbon footprint to meet the International Maritime Organization’s(IMO) emission targets. The plan looks to target a 40% carbon dioxide reduction in emissions by 2050 and 70% by 2050.
In addition to Japan, both China and Norway have projects in the works for their own prospective ammonia-fueled marine vehicles as the industry looks to move away from typical marine fuel sources.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next few years as the industry looks to reduce its Greenhouse Gas Emissions and whether Ammonia can be a long-term player in the marine-fuel business.
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