Maersk Tankers has ordered up to ten very large ammonia carriers (VLACs) from Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HHI). The Korean-built vessels will have a capacity of 93,000 m3, with Maersk to make a decision to install ammonia-capable engines based on “regulatory and customer” support.
DAI Infrastruktur and Siemens Energy will collaborate on the renewable ammonia project in Egypt, with Siemens to supply electrolysers and equipment for hydrogen production. In June, DAI Infrastruktur announced that Naftomar Shipping & Trading has committed to offtake 400,000 tonnes per year of ammonia for a decade from Project Ra, meaning 85% of production capacity is now covered by offtake agreements.
Höegh expects the first pair of ammonia-powered car carriers to be delivered late next year from China Merchants Heavy Industry at the Jiangsu Shipyard in China. This month, a new LNG/ammonia tank was installed in the first of the vessels, and MAN ES engines have arrived from Korea, with installation to take place in early December. Höegh has also announced a partnership with Yara Clean Ammonia to develop a future supply of ammonia fuel for the vessels.
NYK reports the retrofitting of the LNG-fueled tugboat Sakigake has begun in Yokohama. An ammonia-fueled engine developed by IHI Power Systems, NYK, Japan Engine Corporation and Nihon Shipyard will replace the conventional system on board, with the tug due to hit the water by 2024. NYK & Chilean copper producer CODELCO have also announced they are developing an ammonia-powered Handymax bulk carrier, aiming to develop a fleet to service the cross-Pacific copper trade.
Yara Clean Ammonia, NorthSea Container Line and Yara International announce the new vessel will sail from 2026, operating between Norway and Europe. Yara Clean Ammonia will supply ammonia fuel via a storage and bunkering network that is being developed with Azane Fuel Solutions, with the first demonstration to take place in Brevik, Norway.
