Architect throws its weight behind ammonia

The architect said it has identified Hydrogen Based Renewables (HBR) as the best solution for its needs going forward and sees ammonia (NH3) as having high potential.

“We are committed to further research ammonia’s potential and have the ambition to realise a safe and efficient ammonia fuelled vessel,” said Niels de Vries, naval architect at C-Job.

Ammonia potential

C-Job said that ammonia can be created by using the periodic overcapacity of other renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power.

Due to ammonia’s long history in the fertiliser industry, it is an easily sourced material with established safe working practices. The architect sees these as being crucial first steps to its further implement as a fuel in the maritime sector.

“We think that ammonia could be a viable and promising option for a clean and sustainable fuel,” said Mr de Vries, “an ammonia-powered ammonia carrier free of harmful emissions, is just one example of what the future might hold.”

Later this year C-Job will participate in the 15th annual NH3 Fuel Conference starting on 31 October in Pittsburgh, USA.

During the second day, it will be part of the maritime panel to discuss challenges of implementation of ammonia as a fuel, the readiness of ammonia engine technologies and the near-term opportunities for pilot projects and demonstrations.