AMONIA-POWERED PSV, A FIRST OF ITS KIND TO SET SAIL BY 2026

A contract has been signed by Norway based Equinor ASA and Norwegian Shipowner Eidesvik Offshore ASA to create the world’s first ammonia-powered vessel, which is expected to be operational by 2026. Under the contract, Viking Energy, a supply vessel will be fully converted to run on ammonia in the next two years. The ship currently features dual fuel engines capable of running on both LNG and marine diesel oil in any proportion.

The transformation of the fuel tanks will take place under the guidelines of the Apollo project, which has received €5 million funding through the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, run by a consortium of eight European companies and institutions. National Centre for Scientific Research Demokritos, Greece is mandated with the assessment of the safety criteria, while partners VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Belgian contractor and shipowner DEME will simulate other vessel types and operating scenarios to illustrate the ability to transfer the technology to other segments of the shipping industry.

Viking Energy will also be the demonstration vehicle that will showcase the prowess of the ammonia-powered engine system under the EU-funded ShipFC project.

Gitte Gard Talmo, the  CEO & President of Eidesvik Offshore said, “Apollo represents an important step in our journey towards carbon-free shipping operations. Eidesvik has a unique history as a pioneer in showcasing new technologies to curb emissions, and we take pride in once again assuming this role alongside Equinor”.

The other partners involved in Project Apollo are Wärtsilä (Finland), Maritime CleanTech (Norway) and Breeze Ship Design (Norway). The partners will prepare different modular designs and concepts, to allow the rapid adoption of ammonia engines as an alternative for existing and new ships. VTT leads the task to scale the learnings from the demonstrator ship to other vessel types. The model includes safety and monitoring systems and fuel gas supply systems. Ship design services will be delivered by Breeze Ship Design, and Wärtsilä will be assigned with providing the complete ammonia solution from the engine, fuel gas supply system and service agreement. The partners will also map the existing supply chain of green ammonia supply in Europe and look into the needed bunkering infrastructure to serve marine and inland vessels.

The design will be adapted to allow shipowners, ship designers, shipyards, classification agencies, and insurance companies to adopt the Apollo solution into their decision-making processes as early as 2027. Maritime CleanTech is spearheading this EU project.

The Horizon Europe framework programme intends to speed up the transition towards a climate-neutral Europe by 2050 by financing and supporting projects that add to the research and innovations connected with climate, energy, and mobility.