A partnership between Finnish technology group Wartsila and Grieg Edge, the innovation hub of Norwegian shipping group Grieg Star, has received funding support by the Norwegian government of 46.3 million NOK (4.4 million EUR), to build the world’s first green ammonia-fueled tanker.
The MS Green Ammonia project is currently underway to launch an ammonia-fuelled tanker producing no greenhouse gas emissions by 2024.
The project is the result of a Nordic industrial collaboration group founded from the Zeeds (Zero Emissions Energy Distribution at Sea) initiative.
Pilot-E, the Norwegian funding scheme will support the project with a NOK 46,3 million (EUR 4.4 million) grant.
This year’s grants show that the Norwegian maritime industry is really at the forefront of developing emission-free solutions with great export potential. This is another great example of how we create new green industry and growth in Norway,
…says Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry, Iselin Nybø.
In addition, the partners plan to have MS Green Ammonia distribute green ammonia from a planned factory in Berlevåg, Norway to various locations along the coast.
While the project has already established Letters of Intent (LOI) with several industrial partners, the eventual design, size, and volume of the vessel will be dependent on the market and end-user interest.
We see a strong interest from owners of ferries, offshore supply ships, fishing vessels, and from energy-producing companies. In total, they require an amount of energy surpassing what we can achieve in this project. The market is there without a doubt. Norway, with its high number of vessels using LNG or alternative fuels, with high volumes of green energy, and the cheapest electrical power in Europe, is probably the perfect arena for the world’s first market for green ammonia,
…says Vidar Lundberg, Chief Business Development Officer, Grieg Star Group.
Shipowners operating LNG-fueled vessels represent a significant source of potential customers. Depending on the engine type, ammonia could be mixed with the LNG, or alternatively, the engine could be easily retrofitted to use only ammonia.
The projects that now receive support through Pilot-E will make important contributions to the development of hydrogen and ammonia as alternative zero-emission fuels for various vessel categories,
…says Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment, Sveinung Rotevatn.
Earlier in December, Norway’s chemical and fertilizer company Yara announced plans for full-scale green ammonia project by 2026, providing emissions-free fuel for the shipping industry and to decarbonize food production.
