Wartsila to set up world’s first ammonia conversion project
LONDON, October 9, 2021
Technology group Wärtsilä and Norwegian ship owner Eidesvik Offshore ASA have signed a landmark co-operation agreement aimed at converting an offshore supply vessel (OSV) to operate with an ammonia-fuelled combustion engine with required fuel supply and safety system.
This project will be the first of its kind ever in the world and has a provisional completion target by the end of 2023.
Eidesvik has a strong track record in supporting sustainable innovations, having used LNG fuel in its fleet from as early as 2003, and fuel cells from 2006.
The company believes that to achieve the industry’s decarbonisation targets, not only newbuilds will need to have the appropriate technologies, but existing vessels must also be retrofitted accordingly.
Furthermore, prolonging the life of existing assets requires less capital and is less energy-intensive than building new ones.
The OSV considered for a retrofit currently has Wärtsilä dual-fuel engines operating primarily with LNG fuel. The conversion will allow the vessel to operate with a 70 per cent ammonia blend.
Wärtsilä has already successfully laboratory tested an engine fuelled with a 70 percent ammonia blend. The ultimate goal is to achieve operation with 100 percent ammonia and with a minimum ignition fuel requirement.
As a fuel, ammonia has the potential to drastically reduce emissions of CO2. Both Wärtsilä and Eidesvik have stated their commitment to supporting the industry’s efforts to decarbonise its operations.
Eidesvik CEO & President Jan Fredrik Meling, said: "Using ammonia as a fuel is seen as a key future contributor to shipping’s energy transition, and we’re excited to be the first offshore ship owner taking this step."
"This project is yet another confirmation of ourstrong reputation as a pioneer in implementing new environmental technologies in both newbuilds and the existing fleet," stated Meling.
Hans Petter Nesse, Managing Director of Wärtsilä Norway, said: "Collaborating with Eidesvik on this groundbreaking project is an exciting and important step towards carbon-free shipping. Naturally we are also working withclassification societieson measures to ensure safe and environmentally sustainable use."
"We are already well advanced in the development of ammonia as a viable marine fuel, and are actively working on other future carbon-free fuels as well. Our strong in-house competences are very much being utilised to support our commitment to decarbonising shipping," he added.
Wärtsilä and Eidesvik are also partners in the EU-funded ShipFC project to equip a platform supply vessel, the ‘Viking Energy’ with a 2MW fuel cell running on green ammonia. The installation is scheduled to take place in late 2023.
This ammonia conversion project also ties in with one of the ongoing work streams of the Wärtsilä-led Zero Emissions Energy Distribution at Sea (ZEEDS) project, aimed at developing ammonia-powered newbuilds and converting suitable existing vessels.-TradeArabia News Service
