The Maritime Technologies Forum (MTF) has released a new report on the use of ammonia as a marine fuel. The report reveals various ideas and diverse comments on the use of alternative fuels from different points of view.
While the report does not prioritises any opinion in a specific direction, it underlines the need for further research and collaboration to ensure a sustainable future for shipping.
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Specifically, the identification of the key safety concerns tied to ammonia based on members’ both common and diverse understanding from different perspectives may become a significant input to the industry for further relevant investigations and discussions.
Ammonia has been acknowledged by the industry as a potential energy source that does not emit carbon particles upon combustion. However, MTF notes that:
The technology is not yet mature, infrastructure for production and delivery is lacking, work to address its toxicity is ongoing, and currently there is no concrete regulatory framework that will allow the use of ammonia as fuel for ships at sea
For these reasons, long-term research is critical to acquire a sufficient understanding of the potential environmental impacts of such an endeavor.
The report’s main objective was to trigger discussion among MTF members. Several questions converged on the potential regulation of ammonia, the basic properties of the fuel and appropriate safety measures.
The members’ views on these topics have been consolidated in the report with the conclusion that “further long-term research is needed to understand the environmental impact of introducing ammonia into the fuel mix.”
Commenting on the report, a spokesperson for the MTF said:
The Maritime industry, and the world, is facing one of its greatest challenges: decarbonization. To get more clarity on the road ahead, the industry must address and discuss the challenges together to ensure safety remains at the heart of any new fuel developments
Discussing about the potential of ammonia, the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) noted that the fuel is poised to both play an important part in the decarbonization of maritime transportation and offer transition options for achieving zero-emission transportation.
The production of this climate friendly alternative is versatile — which makes adoption easy. It is cheaper than hydrogen and can apply in both combustion engines and fuel cells.
Ammonia is included as a fuel source under the Hydrogen for Ports Act (S.3111) which, if passed, will provide funding to projects using ammonia for cargo handling equipment, trucks at ports, ferries, tugboats, dredging vessels, container ships, bulk carriers, fuel tankers, and other marine vessels.
EXPLORE MORE AT MTF’S REPORT ON AMMONIA
