Alternative Fuels

Wärtsilä: Successful tests pave the way for ammonia as a future marine fuel

Ammonia can be produced with green energy and it contains no carbon so it doesn’t release carbon dioxide when it burns or when it is being produced, it said.

Published

6 years ago

July 6, 2020

Admin

Maritime technology group Wärtsilä on Thursday (2 July) published an article outlining the company’s findings in its numerous projects involving ammonia as a bunker fuel as well as its future plans in the field; the article was written by David J. Cord:

The Wärtsilä combustion research unit is humming along nicely. Wärtsilä engines generate electricity and power ships all over the world, but this experiment is special because it involves ammonia.

“We get excited when it works according to our expectations,” says Kaj Portin, General Manager, Fuel & Operational Flexibility, Wärtsilä Marine.

The Wärtsilä scientists have good reason to be excited. Ammonia can be created with green energy and it contains no carbon so it doesn’t release carbon dioxide when it burns. It can be produced and used with no carbon emissions whatsoever: a huge advantage in our quest for a cleaner and sustainable world.

Tried but not tested

The idea of using ammonia as fuel is nothing new, but it has only been used in limited cases because there are major challenges to using it.

“It doesn’t ignite very well and it burns slowly,” Portin explains. “You have to be careful with the temperatures and pressures to get it to work.”

There are two methods to use ammonia: see how much ammonia can be fed into a standard engine with small modifications or design an engine that is optimised to operate with ammonia.

“If we modify the fuel, we can use it in our current engines,” Portin says. “For instance, maybe we can mix ammonia with LNG or diesel to get it to ignite.”

Wärtsilä scientists will continue tests using dual-fuel and spark-ignited gas engines. In 2022, they will begin working with ship owners on field tests.

Are fuel cells the way to go?

In addition to using ammonia in regular combustion engines, there is also another option: fuel cells. A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of a fuel and an oxidising agent into electricity. Using hydrogen in a fuel cell is a common idea, but ammonia can also be used in one, which is what is happening on a Norwegian ship.

Eidesvik Offshore’s Viking Energy supply ship is the focus of a major clean energy project by the EU initiative ShipFC and a consortium of companies including Wärtsilä.

“Our role in the project is the development and delivery of the electronic and control equipment, as well as the systems required to store and distribute ammonia on board. We will also do integration and design work for the new energy system,” says Ingve Sørfonn, Manager Technology of Marine Electrical Systems at Wärtsilä.

Yara, the world’s biggest producer of ammonia, will produce green ammonia for the ship – by doing so with hydropower. When the Viking Energy launches, it will be the world’s first zero-emissions supply vessel using green ammonia as fuel.

Tapping into existing infrastructure

Fuel cells are an intriguing possibility, but the downside is that you need entirely new power plants. A better option would be to use clean fuel in existing machinery, which is why Wärtsilä scientists want “future-proof” engines which can use the clean fuels of the future. It would also be better to use existing systems, which is another benefit of ammonia.

“One major advantage of ammonia is that the infrastructure to use it already exists,” explains Cato Esperø, Sales Director, Wärtsilä Norway. “It is already shipped around the world in huge quantities.”

About 175 million tonnes of ammonia is currently produced annually. Its main use is in fertiliser, but you probably have ammonia in your house because it is a common agent in cleaning products. We already have the know-how to use ammonia, and the challenge is to apply this knowledge in innovative ways.

The next big thing?

An ambitious idea to power ships with ammonia is the Zero Emission Energy Distribution at Sea (ZEEDS) project. The ZEEDS idea is to build offshore hubs near busy shipping lanes which will produce, store and distribute clean fuel to vessels. Green ammonia will be produced with offshore wind parks while ships refuel at nearby stations. Partners in the project include Aker Solutions, Equinor, DFDS, Grieg Star, Kværner and Wärtsilä.

It is no wonder why ammonia is such a hot topic currently. The British Royal Society has drawn attention to it in a policy briefing and maritime heavyweights such as Samsung Heavy Industries, MAN Energy Solutions, Lloyd’s Register and MISC Berhad have launched an ammonia research project.

Wärtsilä is involved in a number of other ammonia-related projects. Carnival is studying the use of ammonia on their huge fleet of cruise ships. Repsol wants clean energy produced by ammonia on their offshore rigs.

“We are really excited about the opportunity ammonia as a fuel provides,” Esperø says. “In the near future engines will be running with zero carbon emissions. It will happen fast, we are doing something good for the future, and this will be great news for the whole world.”

Photo credit and source: Wärtsilä
Published: 6 July, 2020

Biofuel

Petrochina International blends over 30,000 mt of marine biofuel since March

Company has been developing marine biofuel blending operations at China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, leveraging storage and logistics facilities at its Aoshan base.

Published

19 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Admin

Zhoushan completes China’s first batch of marine biofuel blending under pilot programme

Petrochina International Co Ltd recently said it has blended more than 30,000 metric tonnes (mt) mt of biofuel since completing the country’s first biofuel marine fuel blending operation on 13 March.

The company said the milestone demonstrates its ability to conduct continuous and large-scale biofuel marine fuel blending operations.

The company has been developing marine biofuel blending operations at China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, leveraging storage and logistics facilities at its Aoshan base.

Its latest product, B24 marine fuel containing 24% biofuel component, meets relevant International Maritime Organization (IMO) requirements and marine fuel standards, according to the company. It said the product can be supplied for bunkering vessels operating on international routes.

It has used its global trading network to secure feedstock supplies and support cost control and supply security for the blending operations, it added.

The company said the large-scale blending of its marine biofuel products marks a development in China’s marine biofuel blending market.

It plans to work with upstream and downstream businesses within its group to support the development of Zhoushan Port as a major bonded marine fuel bunkering hub and contribute to its parent group’s transition towards lower-carbon energy.

Manifold Times previously reported China (Zhejiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone launching the first pilot programme for marine biofuel blending in China with the completion of the first batch of B24-HSFO.

The launch was marked with the blending of 2,000 mt of biodiesel and 6,300 mt of high sulphur fuel oil (HSFO) in storage tank F-02 of Sinochem-Xingzhong Oil Staging (Zhoushan), producing 8,300 mt of B24-HSFO.

Manifold Times also reported the first cross-regional bonded bunkering operation of blended biofuel in East China was successfully completed at the Meishan Port Area of Ningbo-Zhoushan Port.

The B24-HSFO used in the bunkering operation was supplied by the Aoshan Petroleum Base in Zhoushan from the first pilot programme for marine biofuel blending in China.

Photo credit: Sinochem-Xingzhong Oil Staging (Zhoushan)
Published: 21 September, 2026

Ammonia

NYK wraps up first STS ammonia bunkering operation in Japan

Ammonia fuel was transferred from the ammonia carrier “Shoei Maru” via the STS method to an ammonia-fuelled medium gas carrier, scheduled for delivery in November 2026.

Published

19 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Admin

NYK wraps up first STS ammonia bunkering operation in Japan

NYK Line, on Thursday (17 September) with Japan Marine United Corporation, Nihon Shipyard Co Ltd, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, and Kokuka Sangyo Co Ltd, has completed the world’s first ship-to-ship (STS) ammonia bunkering operation to an ammonia-fuelled vessel.

At a quay within Japan Marine United Corporation’s Ariake Shipyard, ammonia fuel was transferred from the ammonia carrier Shoei Maru via the STS method to an ammonia-fuelled medium gas carrier (AFMGC) scheduled for delivery in November 2026.

The operation was conducted in preparation for sea trials of the AFMGC using fuel ammonia.

“This achievement represents an important initiative that has put into practice an operation essential for the future practical deployment of ammonia-fuelled vessels,” the company said.

The bunkering operation was conducted following extensive discussions among the companies involved. Safe operating procedures and work processes were established prior to the operation, enabling the transfer to be completed safely. Through this initiative, we have accumulated practical insights regarding safe fuel supply operations.

This operation serves as a pioneering example of the fuel-supply framework that will be required for the widespread adoption of ammonia-fuelled vessels.

The AFMGC is currently in the final stage of construction and is scheduled for delivery in November 2026.

“The successful completion of this operation marks a significant milestone toward the broader commercial use of fuel ammonia and the practical deployment of ammonia-fuelled vessels. It also represents an important step forward in establishing an ammonia supply chain,” the company added.

Photo credit: NYK
Published: 21 September, 2026

Ammonia

Azane secures ammonia bunker fuel supply from Yara

Yara will supply ammonia to Azane through its established production and logistics network, and Azane will sell the ammonia to end clients in the maritime fuel market.

Published

19 hours ago

September 21, 2026

Admin

Azane secures ammonia bunker fuel supply from Yara

Azane Fuel Solutions AS (Azane) on Friday (18 September) said it has signed an ammonia supply agreement with Yara Norge AS (Yara), securing access to ammonia for Azane’s marine fuel activities.

The company said the agreement represents an important step in establishing a reliable ammonia supply chain to support the maritime sector’s transition towards lower-emission operations.

“The agreement strengthens the ammonia value chain and supports Azane’s ambition to deliver reliable and scalable ammonia solutions for the shipping industry,” it said in a statement.

Under the agreement, Yara will supply ammonia to Azane through its established production and logistics network, and Azane will sell the ammonia to end clients in the maritime fuel market – such as the recently announced agreement with Equinor.

“Securing access to ammonia from a leading global producer is a key milestone for Azane,” said Steinar Kostøl, CEO of Azane Fuel Solutions.

“As interest in ammonia as a marine fuel continues to grow, strong partnerships across the value chain are essential to ensuring a safe, reliable and commercially viable fuel supply.”

“Ammonia is recognized as a promising low-emission fuel alternative for shipping and offshore operations, and we are pleased to support Azane’s efforts to pilot ammonia supply solutions,” said Gunner Sørensen, Senior Sales Manager, Yara Industrial Solutions.

“As a leading global producer and supplier of ammonia, Yara is well positioned to provide reliable supply to customers across a range of industries, including emerging applications such as maritime fuel.”

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