Backed by NOK89m (about €9.1m) from the country's Green Platform, a consortium develops shore and floating stations for tanking vessels with green ammonia as a marine fuel.

Azane Fuel Solutions, a JV between Amon Maritime and Econnect Energy, is behind the bunkering infrastructure technology (both are partners in the consortium for the Ammonia Fuel Bunkering Network project).

The first facility will become operational in 2024.

The infrastructure will cater to numerous ships, including the world's first ammonia fuel cell vessel, Eidesvik Offshore's Viking Energy (to be converted by 2023).

At the same time, Höegh Autoliners has ordered four multi-fuel car carriers (with an option for eight more). The 9,100 CEUs capacity Aurora-class vessels, designed by Deltamarin and set for delivery in 2024 and 2025, will be capable of running on liquid fuels, liquefied natural gas and biofuels and will also be the first newbuilds with DNV's ammonia- and methanol-ready class notations. The shipping line envisages these vessels could be converted to ammonia (or other net-zero fuels) in 2025-2030.

"We have put a lot of effort into the design of these vessels to build strong conventional economics, with high capacity and strengthened decks for heavier electric vehicles, as well as fuel flexibility. Given the age profile of these vessels, this is well-fitted to where the world is going," Andreas Enger, Chief Executive, Höegh Autoliners, said.

Christian Berg, Yara Clean Ammonia's (YCA) Director for Bunkering Market Development (with Yara being one of the consortium's partners), also commented, "There are today 130 ports globally that have ammonia infrastructure, so grey ammonia is already being traded as a cargo and using it as fuel is only a question of certification. We are well on the way to making it available as a fuel."

Yara produces 8.5mt/year of ammonia. The company plans to shift that production to blue and green ammonia shortly.

Photo: Azane Fuel Solutions