Norwegian clean shipping company eyes NH3-fuelled Ultramax series

The innovative long endurance ammonia fuelled Ultramax bulk carrier concept is based on an existing Deltamarin ultramax model, adapted for the Pherousa Green Technology using ammonia, which the group claims will enable zero-emission propulsion.

The initial fleet of 6 Ultramax dry bulk carriers is aimed at the copper industry. Copper is a key component in global decarbonisation. The copper industry is keen to reduce the Scope 3 emissions produced during the transportation of copper to end users, usually across the Pacific Ocean, either from South America or Australia. PGT has announced that conversations with leading international mining companies are advanced regarding potential charters for the vessels.

“The only fuel that is truly zero emission is hydrogen, but hydrogen storage is the biggest challenge for deep-sea shipping. Ammonia is the only readily available hydrogen carrier that has no carbon in its molecule, therefore the only truly zero-carbon hydrogen carrier. The ammonia cracking technology developed by PGT is a game changer that could become a major contributor toward the realisation of the world’s zero-emission shipping” says the PGT Group Chairman Hans Bredrup.

Ammonia cracking technology 

The vessel design also envisages replacing the use of conventional fuel as pilot fuel for the ammonia-fuelled engines with hydrogen.  
PGT will deliver “plug and play” ammonia crackers to PGS for installation onboard the newbuildings. The two companies also aim to enter into a strategic partnership agreement to drive the development of ammonia technology for use within the deep-sea segment.

As part of the development project, HAV Group ASA has agreed to become an industrialisation partner for PGT, during the development of an ammonia cracker capable of converting ammonia to fuel cell quality hydrogen.

“This technology will enable a ship to bunker ammonia as a hydrogen carrier, and produce hydrogen on board, either for use in fuel cells or as pilot fuel in internal combustion engines. Ammonia has no carbon in its molecule, it is easily compressed and stored as a liquid and therefore is an excellent hydrogen storage medium. The fact that Pherousa is close to its market breakthrough by being asked to install its technology on board six dry bulk carriers obviously make this an even more interesting partnership and investment,” says Gunnar Larsen, CEO of HAV Group.

The Motorship has previously written about Pherousa’s development of ammonia-to-hydrogen reforming technology in the maritime sector world-wide, as well as rights to the required Helbio intellectual property for the ammonia reforming technology.