Fortescue, in collaboration with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), has achieved an incredible milestone, having successfully launched an ammonia-powered vessel in the Port of Singapore. The combustion process combined ammonia and diesel, adding new sustainable alternatives for the shipping industry.
The first ship propelled by ammonia
The vessel “Fortescue Green Pioneer” loaded liquid ammonia from the existing facilities at the Vopak Banyan ammonia terminal on Jurong Island to conduct the fuel test. As a successful result of this trial, the vessel received flag approval by the Singapore Ship Registry (SRS) and the notation “Gas Fueled Ammonia” awarded by the classification society DNV.
[post_relacionado]Ammonia, widely used in agriculture and industry globally, is produced chemically by combining nitrogen from the air with hydrogen. In addition, it functioned as a hydrogen carrier, ammonia, can be transported to demand centers for power generation and as a marine fuel.
In addition, several ammonia dual propulsion cargo ships have already been ordered by other major shipowners. The Fortescue Green Pioneer began its transformation to become the first ammonia-powered oceangoing vessel in 2022, when it will Fortescue successfully adapted a four-stroke engine to run on ammonia and diesel at its onshore test facility in Perth, Western Australia.
The success of ammonia as a marine fuel
Following successful shore trials, the conversion of the vessel was carried out at Seatrium’s Benoi shipyard starting in July 2023. This included the installation of the gaseous fuel supply gaseous fuel supply system, safety systems and infrastructure, and the successful conversion of two of the ship’s four engines to use The project included the installation of the ship’s fuel supply system, safety and infrastructure systems, and the successful conversion of two of the ship’s four engines to use ammonia in the combustion process.
The other two engines will continue to run on conventional fuels as needed. In December 2023, the ship sailed from Singapore to the Middle East, where it presented at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and other associated events in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, welcoming world leaders, captains of industry and members of international organizations on board.
Don’t miss any of our posts and follow us on social media!
Inspenet.com YouTube LinkedIn Facebook Instagram
Source and photo: Fortescue