Exmar has contracted Wärtsilä Gas Solutions (WGS) to deliver the fuel supply and cargo handling systems for two more gas carriers that will operate with ammonia fuel.
Ammonia-powered ocean-going vessels
The ships are being built at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) in Korea for shipowner Exmar LPG, a joint venture between maritime and offshore solutions provider Exmar and liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessel independent owner-operator Seapeak. The order with Wärtsilä was booked in Q2 2024.
These are the last two vessels in a series of six new builds for Exmar. With this latest contract, Wärtsilä will have supplied the cargo handling and fuel supply systems for all six vessels. According to the companies, these medium-sized gas carriers (MGCs) will be the first ocean-going vessels capable of operating with ammonia as fuel. Operating with ammonia has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared with conventional marine diesel fuel, as ammonia doesn’t produce CO2, sulfur or particulate emissions when combusted.
The full scope of Wärtsilä’s supply includes the cargo handling package and the liquid ammonia fuel supply system (AFSS) along with process engineering and dynamic simulation. The ASS is skid mounted with low- and high-pressure fuel pumps, controls for fuel pressure and temperature, and heat exchangers. Delivery to the yard is scheduled for 2025.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
“Ammonia utilization is vital in our pursuit of decarbonized operations,” stated Carl-Antoine Saverys, CEO of Exmar. “Achieving this requires fuel handling and supply systems tailored for ammonia, and Wärtsilä possesses the expertise and capabilities to provide these solutions. Exmar, with over 40 years of experience in handling ammonia, has a proven track record in the safe and efficient transportation of this fuel. This collaboration leverages Exmar’s extensive knowledge and Wärtsilä’s advanced systems to pioneer ammonia as a marine fuel, contributing significantly to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.”
Patrick Ha, sales manager of Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, said, “This latest contract win is a significant achievement for our company and demonstrates our expertise in providing innovative and sustainable solutions for the maritime industry. It is also fully in line with Wärtsilä’s strategy for enabling decarbonized shipping operations and reinforces our strong partnership with both Exmar and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard.”
For more of the top insights into Wärtsilä’s decarbonization efforts, watch Electric & Hybrid Marine Technology International’s exclusive interview with René Zuidam, the company’s senior sales manager, fresh off the company’s Electric & Hybrid Marine Awards Marine Industry Supplier of the Year category win.