Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a contract with Norwegian shipowner Eidesvik to supply the equipment for the conversion of an offshore platform supply vessel (PSV) to operate with ammonia fuel.
Ammonia-fueled offshore platform supply vessel
Viking Energy, which is on contract to energy major Equinor, is scheduled for conversion in early 2026 and is expected to start operating on ammonia in the first half of 2026, becoming the world’s first ammonia-fueled in-service ship. In addition to chartering the vessel, Equinor will help finance the conversion. Wärtsilä will then supply the engine and complete the fuel gas supply system and exhaust aftertreatment needed for the conversion, making Viking Energy the first vessel to use Wärtsilä’s recently released ammonia solution.
A recent report by Wärtsilä highlights the role that sustainable fuels will play in achieving the IMO’s target of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. According to the report, existing decarbonization solutions, such as fuel efficiency measures, can cut shipping emissions by up to 27%. However, sustainable fuels, such as ammonia, will reportedly be a critical step in eliminating the remaining 73%.
Håkan Agnevall, president and CEO of Wärtsilä, said, “In just 25 years – the lifetime of a single vessel – shipping needs to get to net zero emissions. Achieving this will require coordinated action by all maritime industry stakeholders to bring about the system change needed to accept a new generation of sustainable fuels.
“With this new contract, together with Eidesvik, Wärtsilä is proud to be at the forefront of this movement. Decarbonization is front and center of our strategy and we are committed to developing and delivering sustainable solutions that ensure not only the viability of sustainable fuels but also their safety.”
Decarbonization targets
This latest partnership is a result of the Apollo project, which is co-funded by the Horizon Europe framework program. The program aims to accelerate the transition to a climate-neutral Europe by 2050 by funding projects such as Apollo that contribute research and solutions in various sectors related to climate, energy and mobility.
“Close collaboration throughout the value chain is key to succeed in the green transition,” said Gitte Gard Talmo, CEO and president of Eidesvik Offshore. “Eidesvik has a unique history of pioneering the implementation of innovative emission-reducing technologies, and we are proud to spearhead yet another groundbreaking project together with Wärtsilä and Equinor.”
In addition to the Wärtsilä 25 Ammonia engine, Wärtsilä will supply the complete ammonia solution, including its AmmoniaPac Fuel Gas Supply System, the Wärtsilä Ammonia Release Mitigation System (WARMS) and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system designed for ammonia. A service agreement, covering maintenance, is a key part of the deal. The conversion project is planned for early 2026, with final commissioning expected in Q2 2026.
In related news, Wärtsilä recently supplied a hybrid-electric propulsion system for an 11,000dwt limestone carrier. The vessel was contracted by Montreal-based CSL Group with CCCC Shanghai Equipment Engineering and Jingjiang Nanyang Shipbuilding. Click here to read the full story.