TelestackPort of StocktonTMS Awards 2023CimbriaIMPA EventsSailors Society
  • IMPA Events
  • TMS Awards 2023
  • Van Aalst
  • Vigan
  • Port of South Louisiana
  • Telestack

Wärtsilä coordinates project to accelerate ammonia engine development

Wärtsilä coordinates project to accelerate ammonia engine development

(Posted on 12/04/22)

A powerful consortium of shipping stakeholders is aiming to develop demonstrators for two-stroke and four-stroke marine engines running on ammonia fuel. The Ammonia 2-4 project aims to advance viable concepts for ammonia fuel.

The project is coordinated by technology group Wärtsilä, with participation from naval architects C-Job, classification society DNV, ship owner MSC and the National Research Council (CNR) of Italy. It has secured funding of €10 million from the European Union through the Horizon Europe research funding initiative.

“Ammonia is one of main candidates in shipping’s search for future fuels,” explains Sebastiaan Bleuanus, General Manager, Research Coordination & Funding, Wärtsilä Marine Power. “Wärtsilä has already proven an engine concept running on blends of up to 70% ammonia so far and will have a concept running on pure ammonia by 2023. This project is a fantastic opportunity to accelerate development of the solutions shipping will need.”

The outcomes of the project will include a lab-based demonstrator for the four-stroke ammonia engine, and a lab-based test engine followed by a vessel retrofit for the two-stroke version by 2025. As well as advancing the engine concepts, the Ammonia 2-4 project will further develop concepts around fuel handling and safety as well as contributing inputs towards a regulatory framework for ammonia.

Niels de Vries, Lead Naval Architect at C-Job Naval Architects, said: “Thanks to the project set-up, we’ll be able to show the application of ammonia as a marine fuel for both ships using fuel direct configurations and ships using fuel electric configurations. We’re excited to take this next step and apply our knowledge and experience in Ammonia 2-4 together with our partners.”

“Ammonia as fuel has great potential, especially for deep-sea shipping. Collaborative efforts to put safe, reliable and environmentally friendly engine technology in place are essential for ammonia to enter the fuel mix. We are therefore very pleased to team up with such esteemed partners in this project and look forward to supporting it with our expertise in assessing health, safety and environmental concerns, as well as helping to close regulatory gaps surrounding its use as a marine fuel,” said Hans Anton Tvete, Programme Director Maritime, Group Research and Development, DNV.

Dr Paolo Sementa and Dr Cinzia Tornatore, researchers at CNR’s Institute of Sciences and Technologies for Sustainable Energy and Mobility, said: “CNR will be involved in the activities of Ammonia 2-4 making use of the strong knowhow on internal combustion engines and on alternative fuels. Ammonia is a promising alternative fuel with potential to make a major contribution to the decarbonisation of shipping and to the reduction in greenhouse emissions. For this reason, this ambitious project will represent a milestone in reducing the environmental impact of marine transport sector.”

Latest News

VIKING changes the shape of the lifeboat market

(Posted on 26/11/23)

VIKING Life-Saving Equipment, a global leader in maritime safety solutions, is launching an innovative... Read more


Gerdes Green subsidy for Damen Combi Freighter green innovations

(Posted on 26/11/23)

Damen’s client Gerdes Green has received a subsidy from the German Government for the investment... Read more


Middle East AtoN course to enhance maritime safety in the Gulf

(Posted on 17/11/23)

A first of its kind training course for the Middle East has been held to teach mariners about the basic... Read more


Wärtsilä and Seaspan transform maritime operations with SmartDock system

(Posted on 13/11/23)

Wärtsilä ANCS, part of technology group Wärtsilä, has delivered to Seaspan, a marine... Read more


Gdansk welcomes Damen ASD Tugs

(Posted on 31/10/23)

The flag raising ceremony for three new ASD Tugs has taken place in Gdansk, Poland. In the presence... Read more


Reducing training risks for crane drivers with state-of-the-art simulator

(Posted on 26/10/23)

A new immersive crane simulator that can recreate high-risk scenarios without putting drivers or other... Read more


New Partnership to Introduce DX11 Smart Termination Technology to the UK

(Posted on 23/10/23)

Vesto Ropes, a global leader in innovative steel wire-rope solutions, has announced a strategic partnership... Read more


Bedeschi awarded new longitudinal storage contract

(Posted on 23/10/23)

Bedeschi S.p.a. has been awarded a contract for the design and supply of a new longitudinal storage... Read more


Methanol-ready: Rhenus equips coastal vessel for the future

(Posted on 18/10/23)

Rhenus Maritime Services (RMS) is adding a new coastal vessel to its fleet in the shape of the RMS Ruhrort... Read more


Dualog ShareView to improve overview of ship to shore data transfers

(Posted on 18/10/23)

Dualog, a leading maritime software provider, has introduced a major enhancement to the Dualog Drive... Read more


Geneva DryTBA GroupPort of South LouisianaBühler GmbHViganVan Aalst
  • Cimbria
  • Port of Stockton
  • Geneva Dry
  • TBA Group

Subscribe to our newsletter

Keep up to date with the latest global news in bulk cargo handling and shipping