TotalEnergies joins ammonia as marine fuel coalition, increases research focus

This joint study framework will address common cross-industry challenges that need to be overcome for ammonia to contribute to the decarbonization of the shipping industry, including the safety assessment of an ammonia-fuelled ship and ammonia bunkering, ammonia fuel specification and the net carbon emissions from ammonia production.

As a carbon-free molecule, ammonia is a promising alternative fuel for large vessels and deep-sea shipping to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the shipping industry. In particular, green ammonia – produced from green hydrogen using renewable electricity, water and air – could play a major role in enabling the industry to meet the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) carbon emission reduction targets proposed by 2050.

TotalEnergies notes that it is also participating in research into the viability of ammonia as an alternative marine fuel through several other industry initiatives. TotalEnergies is participating in a joint project with other maritime industry leaders, through the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Maersk Center for Zero Carbon Shipping, to assess the technical, financial and environmental potential of converting existing vessels to future fuel solutions and technology, such as ammonia.

TotalEnergies has been a member of the Ammonia Energy Association since 2019, which has enabled the Company to deepen its investigation of ammonia within its portfolio of clean energy technologies.

More recently, in July 2020, TotalEnergies set up a Clean Hydrogen business unit, giving shape to the Company’s ambition to become a leader in the mass production of clean hydrogen, the first building block of green ammonia.

These efforts underscore TotalEnergies’ aspiration to be a world-class player in the energy transition to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, together with society. As part of TotalEnergies’ strategy, it will develop broad energy solutions for mobility to take carbon out of transport.

Jérôme Leprince-Ringuet, Vice President Marine Fuels at TotalEnergies, commented: “Ammonia is seen as a promising future fuel for shipping from an emissions reduction and scalability perspective. However, safety, technology maturity and affordability remain key challenges which we need to overcome. In tandem with TotalEnergies’ R&D efforts, we are delighted to be part of these pioneering, industry-wide collaborations, to unlock ammonia as a cleaner marine fuel for ships.”