A collaboration agreement has been signed between Wärtsilä and Norwegian company Simon Møkster Shipping to carry out a feasibility study into utilizing ammonia as the main fuel in dual-fuel engines where LNG is the alternative fuel.
The study aims to show that vessels can be converted to dual ammonia–LNG operation, in an efficient and safe manner.
An offshore supply vessel called the Stril Pioneer – added to Simon Møkster’s fleet in 2003 – will be utilized for testing as it currently operates using Wärtsilä 32DF dual-fuel engines that run on LNG as a primary fuel. A blend of ammonia and LNG will be used to reduce CO2 emissions produced during the combustion process.
“We are excited to join Wärtsilä in this project. We see this as a step towards meeting our targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and our ambition is to cut our fleet’s CO2 emissions by 40% by 2030,” commented Anne Jorunn Møkster, owner and CEO, Simon Møkster. “By 2050 we expect to reach net-zero carbon emissions.”
“Decarbonization is central to the future of shipping, and Wärtsilä is totally committed to helping our customers achieve this goal,” said Cato Esperø, head of sales Norway, Wärtsilä. “This collaboration agreement represents further evidence of this commitment. We are leading the way towards the adoption of alternative cleaner future marine fuels through extensive testing and research, and we see ammonia as an extremely promising option.”
The agreement was signed in October 2021.