Wärtsilä and Simon Møkster Shipping will study the use of ammonia as the main fuel in dual-fuel engines where LNG is the alternative fuel. The aim is to demonstrate the feasibility of converting vessels for dual ammonia–LNG operation, and that it can be carried out safely and efficiently.
The testing will be carried out on the Stril Pioner, an offshore supply vessel (OSV) currently operating with Wärtsilä 32DF dual-fuel engines using LNG as the primary fuel. Simon Møkster has been one of the pioneers in the use of LNG as a marine fuel, adding the Stril Pioner to its fleet in 2003. By using a blend of ammonia and LNG, emissions of CO2 from the combustion process will be considerably reduced.
‘We see this as a step towards meeting our targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and our ambition is to cut our fleet’s CO2 emissions by forty per cent by 2030. By 2050 we expect to reach net-zero carbon emissions,’ says Anne Jorunn Møkster, owner and CEO of the Norwegian supplier of modern offshore support vessels Simon Møkster.
Also read: Wärtsilä and Eidesvik to convert offshore vessel to run on ammonia
Cato Esperø, Head of Sales Norway, Wärtsilä, adds: ‘We are leading the way towards the adoption of alternative cleaner future marine fuels through extensive testing and research, and we see ammonia as an extremely promising option.’
Also read: Wärtsilä and Solvang to retrofit tanker with carbon capture and storage
Picture: Tests will be carried out on the offshore supply vessel (OSV), Stril Pioner (picture by Simon Møkster).
