Wärtsilä has introduced the marine sector’s first commercially available 4-stroke engine-based solution for ammonia fuel. The new solution enables a significant advance in sustainable shipping operations. Zero-emission shipping company Viridis Bulk Carriers will be the launching customer of the system.
The ammonia solution is now commercially available as part of the Wärtsilä 25 engine platform, which was launched in September 2022.
Viridis Bulk Carriers, which claims to be the world’s first zero emission shipping company, is intended to be the first shipowner to benefit from the new ammonia solution. The company is a partnership between Amon Maritime, Mosvolds Rederi and Navigare Logistics. Earlier this month, Wärtsilä and Viridis Bulk Carriers signed a Letter of Intent for the Wärtsilä 25 ammonia engine solution, targeting to sign a commercial contract in early 2024. Viridis Bulk Carriers is planning a carbon free short sea bulk transportation service based on a series of ammonia-powered newbuild vessels.
‘The maritime industry must significantly reduce its emissions if we are to succeed in reaching the goals set in the Paris agreement. The adoption of new technologies and ammonia as a carbon free fuel is central to this,’ says André Risholm, board member at Viridis Bulk Carriers.
Also read: New Wärtsilä engine reduces methane emissions
Fuel gas supply system
In addition to the engine, the full solution includes an AmmoniaPac fuel gas supply system, the Wärtsilä Ammonia Release Mitigation System (WARMS), and the Wärtsilä NOx Reducer (NOR) for optimal exhaust after-treatment. Safety and efficiency are central to the solution design, maximised by a highly sophisticated automation system and maintenance agreement to ensure safe and efficient onboard operations. The safe and smooth adoption of ammonia as a new fuel for crew members is further supported by dedicated training and 24/7 global support.
‘The ammonia solution is based on Wärtsilä’s well-proven LNG system, from which we have gained invaluable experience,’ explains Roger Holm, president of Wärtsilä’s Marine Power business. ‘The Wärtsilä 25 engine has been designed for easy adoption of sustainable fuels and, now, in addition to its previous capability of operating on diesel, LNG, or on gas or liquid carbon-neutral biofuels, we are proud to add ammonia to its specifications. This makes Wärtsilä 25 a thoroughly future-proof engine platform, that combines operational efficiency with environmental sustainability.’
Also read: WinGD wins first AiP for ammonia two-stroke engine
Ammonia as a fuel
Sustainable ammonia is one of the leading candidates in shipping’s search for alternative clean fuels. This new Wärtsilä 25 Ammonia solution can immediately reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than seventy per cent, compared to a similar sized diesel solution, meeting current EU targets until 2050 and even exceeding the IMO target for 2040.
‘This is only the beginning,’ adds Stefan Nysjö, vice president of Power Supply, Wärtsilä Marine Power. ‘The Wärtsilä 25 is the first Wärtsilä engine to run on ammonia as a fuel, and this is an important milestone, but we do not stop here. While we are planning for additional ammonia engines in our portfolio over time, we are also committed to continue development and testing of technologies and solutions that can continue to support the industry with reducing greenhouse gas emissions even further in the future.’
Also read: Wärtsilä Ammonia Release Mitigation System receives AiP from DNV
Marine engines and alternative fuels in SWZ|Maritime
SWZ|Maritime’s November 2023 issue contains an extensive article that gives an overview of the current marine engine market and their suitability to alternative fuels. The article has been written by Kees Kuiken, marine engine expert, and subscribers can read the article now in our archive.
Also read: SWZ|Maritime’s November 2023 issue: This issue is all about engineering
