Norwegian ammonia bunkering startup Azane Fuel Solutions has developed its own zero-emissions bunker vessel design.
The joint venture between ECONNECT Energy and Amon Maritime has partnered with US-based startup Amogy to explore the technical and commercial feasibility of using its ammonia-to-power system on board the vessel. The collaboration will also look into using an Azane ammonia fuel feeder solution integrated into the Amogy power system.
To date, the Amazon and Saudi Aramco-supported Amogy has demonstrated its ammonia-to-power technology in a drone, tractor, and semi-truck and is currently retrofitting a tugboat to be the world’s first ammonia-powered vessel.
“By using our technology, Azane Fuel Solutions can deliver clean ammonia to ships globally with zero emissions from the bunkering operation. This will be a first of its kind for this segment,” said Christian W. Berg, managing director of Amogy Norway.
Azane is backed by Norwegian fertilizer maker Yara and handysize gas carrier owner and operator Navigator. Through its collaboration with Yara Clean Ammonia, the company plans to start building the world’s first ammonia bunkering network in 2024, expected to be ready for its first operations in 2025.
Plans for the zero-emission ammonia bunker ships, when fully developed, involve ports such as Hamburg, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Singapore and other key ports, Azane said.
Commenting on the partnership with Amogy, Håkon Skjerstad, CEO of Azane, added: “The reason for providing an ammonia bunker vessel is to help decarbonise the shipping industry. Because of this, we need a zero-emission solution to provide propulsion to our vessels. Amogy has a promising technology that can help us reach our strategic ambition of offering zero-emission bunker solutions for deep sea shipping.”
