Ammonia as fuel: challenges are not 'unsurmountable'

摘要

A panel of ship design experts looked at how best to future-proof a vessel by making it 'ammonia-ready', concluding that the challenges were many but not "insurmountable," if there was strong industry collaboration. Ammonia as a fuel and 'ammonia-ready' design were key topics at Riviera Maritime Media's VLEC design: improving efficiencies at the terminal and at sea webinar, part of LPG Shipping & Terminals Webinar Week, held on 4 August. The webinar was produced by LNG Shipping & Terminals with the WLPGA joining as a supporting organisation. With decades of ship design, operation and regulation under their belt, the panel included: ABS Europe global gas development director Sean Bond; Safinah Group senior consultant, whole ship design and naval architecture, professional, technical and engineering services Keith Hutchinson; and PG Shipmanagement Pte QHSE manager Shiraz Lakhani. Ammonia's carbon-free characteristics have captured the imagination of shipowners as a future fuel to reach decarbonisation targets in the decades ahead. This has led shipowners of gas carriers and other vessel types to invest in 'ammonia-ready' newbuilds, laying the groundwork to burn ammonia when the technology and supply becomes available.