Study: Green ammonia shows ‘promise’ but draws attention to challenges

A recently released study by University of Manchester has concluded green ammonia is considered to show promise based on the shipping industry’s experience of storing and transporting ammonia for the global fertiliser industry and recent moves to incorporate dual-fuel engines into the fleet.

However, the findings of the study draw attention to a wide range of factors that challenge both its viability and its adoption as a truly “green” option, at least within Paris-compliant timeframes.

The study, titled Green ammonia adoption in shipping: Opportunities and challenges across the fuel supply chain, said to effectively align with the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C by 2050, the international shipping sector must overcome challenges around being first movers in order to transition into using alternative low-carbon fuel.

It also noted that there continues to be uncertainty surrounding the release of the potent GHG N2O from ammonia combustion if used widely in real world conditions, leading to questions around its green credentials. 

“However, it is ammonia’s significant toxicity that leads stakeholders to highlight the importance of implementing new safety regulations to properly protect mariners and the marine environment,” it added.

With an absence of clear policy drivers, coupled with competing demand for green ammonia and hydrogen from other sectors, the study said stakeholders also perceive a range of economic risks impeding its adoption.

“This in turn feeds into the slow build-up of supply chain infrastructure required to mitigate midstream and downstream factors, particularly port storage, handling, and transportation, as well as a reticence to invest in specifically designed alternative fuelled ships.”

With challenges surrounding the adoption of alternative fuels including green ammonia and that they are also sought after by other sectors, the findings therefore point towards a need for the industry to focus other emission mitigation measures in parallel, that can reduce the sector’s overall reliance on liquid fuel.

“Options including slow steaming, wind-propulsion with route optimisation and the plethora of ship efficiency improvements already available, can all curb fuel use, and help to reduce financial risk,” it said.

“And importantly, unlike the fuel options available today, they have a greater chance of realising near-term emission cuts aligned with the IMO’s 2030 and 2040 ‘strive’ targets.”

Note: The study titled ‘Green ammonia adoption in shipping: Opportunities and challenges across the fuel supply chain’ can be found here.

Photo credit: Chris Pagan on Unsplash
Published: 29 October 2024