Purus Marine confirms 4+2 NH3-ready ammonia carrier order

The shipping company confirmed that the vessels will be dual-fuel ammonia-ready and are expected to predominantly carry ammonia as a cargo.

The vessels will also be equipped with exhaust gas cleaning systems to ensure that they can operate on conventional fuel. 

Purus Marine has acquired vessels in the ammonia and LNG carrier segments of the market, as well as investing in hybrid ferries and low-emission vessels in the offshore wind service segment. In all the group, owns over 60 vessels.

The order follows a recent capital injection from Japanese trading company, Itochu, which announced it was taking an equity stake in the company on 12 April. Itochu noted Purus Marine’s focus “on vessels that use various technologies to reduce carbon emissions or achieve zero emissions in vessel operations” was complementary with its own market-led approach to decarbonising Japan’s market.

Itochu’s Cleantech business is participating in the development of ammonia-fuelled vessels, and participating in the development of ammonia fuel supply bases, as well as participating in projects to procure ammonia as a fuel.

Purus Marine appointed Pontus Berg, the former EVP, technical and operations at BW LPG Ltd., as chief operating officer in February 2023.