Alternative Fuels

ShipFC project to demonstrate feasibility of ammonia-fuel cells for deep sea shipping

Project has been granted funding from the EU under its Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint and aims to qualify 20MW fuel cell solutions for oceangoing vessels.

Published

6 years ago

December 28, 2020

Admin

EU funded maritime innovation project ShipFC on Saturday (19 December) said interest in ammonia-powered fuel cells for the maritime sector is growing, but stakeholders have been hesitant to commit to investments in large-scale systems.

Now the ShipFC project, granted funding from EU’s Research and Innovation program Horizon 2020 under its Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU), is aiming to secure a place for ammonia in the future of deep-sea shipping.

The project will equip the offshore supply vessel Viking Energy, owned and operated by Eidesvik and on contract to energy major Equinor, with a 2MW ammonia fuel cell, allowing it to operate for at least 3000 hours annually on clean fuel. Following the completion of that phase, the project will ramp up to qualifying 20MW fuel cell solutions for oceangoing vessels.

“The ultimate goal of the project is to demonstrate the feasibility of ammonia fuel cells for ocean going vessels and long sea voyages,” said Dr Michail Cheliotis, Research Associate at the University of Strathclyde, lead partner in the project. “Once the first phase of the project is completed, that’s when the fun starts.”

“The huge difference in scope makes ShipFC much more interesting than just a replication of Viking Energy,” says Cheliotis. “The similarities basically end with ammonia, because a 20 MW power plant requires significantly different treatment.” That said, he assures that scaling up the project is seen to be well within reach, given the prior knowledge of both fuel cells and ammonia as an energy carrier.

The project will consider three replicator vessel types, including a bulk vessel, an offshore construction vessel, and a container ship. Cheliotis says that the work will involve close cooperation with replicator vessel owners and a thorough examination of vessel requirements.

A known commodity

Technical and economic knowledge developed in the Viking Energy pilot will be incorporated in a broader analysis of ammonia in the maritime sector and comparison with other alternative fuels.

“Ammonia presents certain technical challenges, but even though it is corrosive, the safety trade-off between ammonia and hydrogen favors ammonia,” says Cheliotis. “It is less explosive, requires less complex storage and transport solutions, and it is a well-known commodity from industry. Based on this experience, the necessary safeguards can be built in.”

Experience with gas fuels will be a significant building block, he adds: “We have seen that liquid ammonia is similar to liquefied gas in the handling process. Industry has a high level of maturity and an excellent track record in handling LNG and LPG, and this experience is proof that it can be done safely.”

Considering all the steps

ShipFC will closely examine the ammonia supply chain, Cheliotis reports. “We will be looking at the entire life cycle of ammonia, from production to transport and bunkering. One of the ShipFC partners is a major supplier of ammonia, and we will be working together with them to address these issues.”

Ammonia for fuel cells can be produced with a green profile, Cheliotis explains, giving ammonia a positive overall environmental footprint: “Ammonia can easily be made from renewable resources, making it one of the fuels that will likely meet part of shipping’s future green energy demand.”

Strathclyde will also provide maritime safety analysis for onboard solutions. “Part of our work will be to propose new safeguards and accommodations for marine installations of this size,” noted Cheliotis.

Ammonia + fuel cells = efficiency

The efficiency of ammonia in fuel cells is favorable, added Cheliotis. “Successful cases have taken advantage of the most efficient fuel cells. We believe that we can hit the sweet spot of fuel cell technology with ammonia.”

Fuel cells have favorable characteristics in the configuration of vessels as well, he noted. “As they do not require the same dedicated space as large two- or four-stroke engines, fuel cells can be distributed in modules, saving space and exploiting otherwise unavailable options.”

The time is ripe

“People are ready to listen to arguments for fuel cells. The technology is becoming more common, and stories of success from other projects in road and rail are getting media attention,” observed Cheliotis. “Now we want to take advantage of fuel cell momentum and examine the use of ammonia in addition to hydrogen.”

Cheliotis sees the relationship between hydrogen and ammonia in fuel cells as more complimentary than competitive: “This is simply because different solutions will be required to meet different challenges. The choice of solution will depend on a case-by-case evaluation,” he believes.

Solving the ammonia–fuel cell equation for deep-sea shipping is a step in the right direction for ensuring progress in the decarbonization process, concludes Cheliotis. “We will need many solutions to meet diverse needs in the maritime industry, and fuel cells powered by ammonia can be among them.”

Photo credit: ShipFC
Published: 28 December, 2020

Alternative Fuels

Olam Agri, Vitol Bunkers wrap up co-processed VLSFO bio-bunkering operation in Singapore

“MV Scion Mathilda” was supplied with 246.5 mt of co-processed VLSFO at the Port of Singapore, comprising 212 mt of conventional VLSFO and 34.5 mt of co-processed CNSL VLSFO.

Published

4 hours ago

August 21, 2026

Admin

Olam Agri, Vitol Bunkers wrap up co-processed VLSFO bio-bunkering operation in Singapore

Agri-business Olam Agri on Thursday (20 August) said it successfully completed Singapore’s first bio-bunkering operation with Vitol Bunkers, using Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) co-processed with Cashew Nutshell Liquid (CNSL), showcasing a waste-to-energy approach.

MV Scion Mathilda was supplied with 246.5 metric tonnes (mt) of co-processed VLSFO at the Port of Singapore, comprising 212 mt of conventional VLSFO and 34.5 mt of co-processed CNSL VLSFO. The product was supplied by Vitol Bunkers and procured by Olam Agri’s ocean freight business.

The fuel was subsequently consumed during a voyage from Caofeidian (China) to Rotterdam (Netherlands), followed by a ballast leg from Rotterdam to Barcarena (Brazil).

Total fuel consumption across the voyage comprised 1,354 mt of VLSFO, 101 mt of MGO and 34.1 mt of co-processed VLSFO. The vessel completed the voyage without any operational remarks, confirming the product’s performance in real-world conditions.

The operation marks a significant step forward in the search for practical, scalable alternatives to conventional marine fuels, and demonstrates that meaningful greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions can be achieved without any change to vessel operations.

Martin Fynbo, Head of Bunkers at Olam Agri’s ocean freight business, said: “The successful deployment of this product, achieving verified greenhouse gas mitigation alongside ensuring operational integrity, serves as a definitive proof of concept. This milestone provides validation to a traditionally risk-averse sector, demonstrating that a previously disregarded bio-product solution can both be operationally viable and sustainable.”

Sherman Yeo, Trading Manager, Vitol Bunkers, said: “This operation proves that co-processed VLSFO can be delivered and consumed at sea without any compromise to vessel performance or operational routine. The mass balance solution we have developed opens up a genuinely new avenue for GHG reduction in marine fuels.”

The co-processed VLSFO carries a GHG intensity of 2.02 gCO2eq/MJ, delivering savings of at least 120 MT CO2eq compared with conventional VLSFO on an equivalent basis. This outcome was achieved with no additional onboard handling or fuel treatment requirements.

Vitol’s co-processing and mass balancing methodology resolves a longstanding challenge in the use of CNSL as a marine biofuel. Direct blending of CNSL has historically been dismissed by the industry due to material compatibility and handling issues. By co-processing CNSL within the refinery stream, Vitol has opened a commercially viable pathway for CNSL to contribute to GHG reduction in shipping.

The co-processed VLSFO used in this operation conforms to RMG380 VLSFO grade and has the same chemical composition and quality as conventional fuel, eliminating the need for additional permissions or special clauses in charter party agreements.

“CNSL, derived as a by-product of cashew processing, represents an underutilised feedstock with genuine potential as a scalable marine biofuel component,” Olam Agri added.

“This trial demonstrates that with the right processing approach, it can be integrated into existing supply chains without disruption.”

Photo credit: Vitol
Published: 21 August, 2026

Alternative Fuels

China: CIMC Enric and Sinopec to team up on LNG, methanol bunker fuels in new deal

Under the new agreement, the companies will deepen cooperation across the LNG value chain and develop bunkering solutions including truck-to-ship bunkering services.

Published

4 hours ago

August 21, 2026

Admin

China: CIMC Enric and Sinopec to team up on LNG, methanol bunker fuels in new deal

Clean energy equipment and services provider CIMC Enric on Monday (17 August) said it has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Sinopec Fuel Oil Sales Co Ltd, covering LNG, green methanol, shipbuilding and new energy for marine applications.

Under the new agreement, the companies will deepen cooperation across the LNG value chain and develop bunkering solutions including truck-to-ship bunkering services. They also plan to expand into emerging marine fuels and energy solutions, including green methanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

The partnership will focus on five areas: energy-resource cooperation, shipbuilding, marine-fuel bunkering, vehicle-related services and integrated services.

The agreement was signed in Shenzhen on 14 August by Yang Xiaohu, executive director and president of CIMC Enric, and Xu Tao, deputy general manager and Party committee member of Sinopec Fuel Oil.

The cooperation will span commercial implementation, industry development and technology innovation.

The partnership comes as the shipping industry accelerates its transition towards lower-carbon fuels amid tightening International Maritime Organization emissions regulations and China’s carbon-reduction goals.

CIMC Enric specialises in equipment for the clean-energy sector, while Sinopec Fuel Oil leverages the resource and supply network of China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec). Both said their complementary capabilities provide a basis for moving beyond a conventional equipment-supply relationship towards broader cooperation integrating equipment, fuels, applications and technology.

The two companies began working together in October 2022, initially focusing on LNG and CNG storage and transportation equipment. Their cooperation has since expanded into marine equipment, green methanol bunkering, storage and transportation equipment, and external gas-source procurement.

The companies said they will establish a regular cooperation mechanism and develop detailed projects to accelerate implementation. The partnership is intended to strengthen collaboration between energy-equipment and energy-supply companies and support the maritime industry’s transition towards lower-carbon fuels.

Photo credit: CIMC Enric
Published: 21 August, 2026

Ammonia

Azane signs ammonia bunkering deal with Equinor, first deliveries due in H2 2026

Both signed a framework agreement for the supply of ammonia and the execution of truck-to-ship ammonia bunkering operations for ammonia-fuelled vessels.

Published

4 hours ago

August 21, 2026

Admin

Azane signs ammonia bunkering deal with Equinor, first deliveries due in H2 2026

Azane Fuel Solutions (Azane) on Thursday (20 August) said it has signed a framework agreement with Equinor Energy AS for the supply of ammonia and the execution of truck-to-ship ammonia bunkering operations for ammonia-fuelled vessels.

The first deliveries will commence during the second half of 2026. The agreement establishes a framework for future ammonia fuel deliveries and bunkering operations supporting the maritime industry’s transition towards lower-emission solutions.

“This agreement marks an important milestone for Azane and demonstrates growing confidence in ammonia as a marine fuel,” said Steinar Kostøl, CEO of Azane.

“Truck-to-ship bunkering offers a practical and flexible solution for the early adoption of ammonia-fuelled vessels while the broader ammonia fuel ecosystem continues to develop.”

The agreement covers truck-to-ship ammonia bunkering operations, where ammonia is transported to the quayside and transferred directly to the receiving vessel.

The contract supports Azane’s strategy of enabling near-term deployment of ammonia as a marine fuel while continuing to develop dedicated ammonia infrastructure for future market growth.

Photo credit: Azane Fuel Solutions
Published: 21 August, 2026