Eidesvik Offshore to operate world’s first ammonia powered PSV

The platform supply vessel (PSV) Viking Energy is to be fitted with a Wartsila 25 Ammonia engine and complete gas supply system. The project has EUR5 million in support from the EU through the Apollo Project.

The PSV Viking Energy will demonstrate the use of ammonia as a marine fuel on contract with Norwegian energy company Equinor.

“Apollo represents an important step in our journey towards carbon-free shipping operations. Eidesvik has a unique history as a pioneer in showcasing new technologies to curb emissions, and we take pride in once again assuming this role alongside Equinor,” said CEO & President of Eidesvik Offshore, Gitte Gard Talmo.

A recent report by Wartsila said that existing decarbonisation solutions, such as fuel efficiency measures, can cut shipping emissions by up to 27%; however, sustainable fuels, such as ammonia, would eliminate the remaining 73%.

Håkan Agnevall, President and CEO of Wartsila, “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."

The partners in the project aim to produce modular designs enabling the quick adoption of ammonia engines both for newbuilds and retrofits.

Related:Ammonia as a fuel gains momentum in Asia

VTT will scale learnings from the project and ship design services design services will be delivered by Breeze Ship Design. The design will be adapted to allow owners to adopt the Apollo solution into their decision-making processes as early as 2027. Norwegian Maritime CleanTech is leading the EU project. 

“This will be a real game-changer when it comes to meeting the climate goals for 2030, as it can be adapted to virtually all types of vessels, both on the Norwegian shelf and internationally. The concept's market potential is huge”, said Maritime CleanTech CEO, Ada M. Jakobsen.  

The partners will also map the existing supply chain of green ammonia in Europe and what is needed in terms of bunkering infrastructure to serve marine and inland vessels.

The drive to develop green ammonia dual-fuel propulsion will see a number of vessels on the water in 2026 in different parts of the world. However, concerns do remain over the safety of ammonia given its high toxicity. A Nautical Institute (Singapore) conference last week highlighted the unknowns in dealing with major casualty involving ammonia either as a fuel or a cargo.