Finland-based marine know-how and gear maker Wärtsilä has launched the marine sector’s “first commercially available 4-stroke engine-based solution for ammonia fuel.”
According to Wärtsilä, the brand new answer allows a big advance in sustainable delivery operations – throughout a time through which ship house owners are searching for viable choices amongst inexperienced fuels. The ammonia answer is now commercially accessible as a part of the Wärtsilä 25 engine platform, which was launched in September 2022.
Viridis Bulk Carriers, dubbed the world’s first zero-emission delivery firm, is meant to be the primary shipowner to learn from the brand new ammonia answer.
The firm is a partnership between Amon Maritime, Mosvolds Rederi and Navigare Logistics.
Earlier this month, Wärtsilä and Viridis Bulk Carriers signed a Letter of Intent for the Wärtsilä 25 ammonia engine answer, concentrating on to signal a business contract in early 2024.
Viridis Bulk Carriers is bringing a ‘green game changer’ to the European brief sea bulk market, planning a carbon free transportation service based mostly on a collection of ammonia-powered newbuild vessels, Wärtsilä mentioned.
“The maritime industry must significantly reduce its emissions if we are to succeed in reaching the goals set in the Paris agreement. The adoption of new technologies and ammonia as a carbon free fuel is central to this,” mentioned André Risholm, Board member at Viridis Bulk Carriers. “We are delighted to partner with Wärtsilä on another important milestone for our ammonia-powered short sea bulk vessels.”
Håkan Agnevall, President and CEO of Wärtsilä mentioned: “Wärtsilä is a leader in shaping the decarbonization of marine and energy industries. This industry-leading solution is yet another flagship moment in Wärtsilä’s extensive program to ensure future marine fuels are both viable and safe. Working in partnership with Viridis Bulk Carriers, we take the next step in our decarbonization journey, enabling the transition to greener fuels and accelerating towards net-zero emissions shipping.”
In addition to the engine, the complete answer contains an AmmoniaPac gas gasoline provide system, the Wärtsilä Ammonia Release Mitigation System (WARMS), and the Wärtsilä NOx Reducer (NOR) for optimum exhaust after-treatment.
“Safety and efficiency are central to the solution design, maximised by a highly sophisticated automation system and maintenance agreement to ensure safe and efficient onboard operations. The safe and smooth adoption of ammonia as a new fuel for crew members is further supported by dedicated training and 24/7 global support,” Wärtsilä mentioned.
“The ammonia solution is based on Wärtsilä’s well-proven LNG system, from which we have gained invaluable experience. The Wärtsilä 25 engine has been designed for easy adoption of sustainable fuels and, now, in addition to its previous capability of operating on diesel, LNG, or on gas or liquid carbon-neutral biofuels, we are proud to add ammonia to its specifications. This makes Wärtsilä 25 a thoroughly future-proof engine platform, that combines operational efficiency with environmental sustainability.” added Roger Holm, President of Wärtsilä’s Marine Power enterprise.
Sustainable ammonia is likely one of the main candidates in delivery’s seek for various clear fuels. This new Wärtsilä 25 Ammonia answer can instantly cut back greenhouse gasoline emissions by greater than 70 p.c, in comparison with an identical sized diesel answer, assembly present EU targets till 2050 and even exceeding the IMO goal for 2040, Wärtsilä added.
“This is simply the start,” continued Stefan Nysjö, Vice President of Power Supply, Wärtsilä Marine Power. “The Wärtsilä 25 is the first Wärtsilä engine to run on ammonia as a fuel, and this is an important milestone, but we do not stop here. While we are planning for additional ammonia engines in our portfolio over time, we are also committed to continue development and testing of technologies and solutions that can continue to support the industry with reducing greenhouse gas emissions even further in the future.”
