Wärtsilä has partnered with Norwegian shipowner Eidesvik Offshore to convert an offshore platform supply vessel (PSV) to operate with ammonia fuel. According to the companies, it is the first time such a conversion will be executed.
The vessel, Viking Energy, which is on contract to energy major Equinor, is scheduled for conversion in early 2026 and is expected to start operating on ammonia in the first half of 2026, becoming the world’s first ammonia-fuelled in-service ship.
In addition to chartering the vessel, Equinor contributes with financing for the conversion. Wärtsilä will supply the engine and complete fuel gas supply system and exhaust after-treatment needed for the conversion, making it also the first vessel to use the company’s recently released ammonia solution.
Also read: Wärtsilä supplies ammonia systems for two more Exmar vessels
Cooperation key to get to net zero
Håkan Agnevall, president and CEO of Wärtsilä, highlights the importance of cross-industry collaboration: ‘In just 25 years – the lifetime of a single vessel – shipping needs to get to net zero emissions. Achieving this will require coordinated action by all maritime industry stakeholders to bring about the system change needed to accept a new generation of sustainable fuels.’
Wärtsilä, Eidesvik and Equinor share a commitment to support the industry’s efforts to decarbonise. The conversion of Viking Energy is the latest project in a history of collaboration between the three companies.
Viking Energy has an impressive record of demonstrating new environmental technologies, which includes three “world records”. For example, using Wärtsilä dual-fuel engine technology, Eidesvik was the world’s first shipowner to have an LNG-powered offshore platform supply vessel. It also received the world’s first Battery Power notation, given to Viking Energy, for a battery system installed by Wärtsilä.
Also read: Wärtsilä transfers Trieste manufacturing site to MSC
Apollo project
This latest partnership is a result of the “Apollo” project, co-funded by the Horizon Europe framework programme. The programme aims to accelerate the transition towards a climate-neutral Europe by 2050 through funding projects, such as Apollo, which contribute research and innovative solutions in various sectors related to climate, energy and mobility.
The design developed within Apollo will be adapted to allow shipowners, ship designers, shipyards, classification agencies, and insurance companies to adopt the solution into their decision-making processes as early as 2027. Norwegian Maritime CleanTech is leading the EU project.
The partners will also map the existing supply chain of green ammonia in Europe and stake out the needed bunkering infrastructure to serve marine and inland vessels.
Viking Energy is also a demonstrator vessel in the EU-funded ShipFC project, which aims to pilot ammonia-powered fuel cells.
Also read: Wärtsilä to convert two Scandlines ferries to plug-in hybrid operation
Promising alternative fuel
Ammonia has emerged as a promising alternative fuel as the shipping industry looks for more sustainable fuel options. With new global regulations having set a clear destination for shipping – net zero emissions by mid-century – ammonia will play a significant role in enabling the shipping industry to reduce its emissions.
A recent report by Wärtsilä highlights the role that sustainable fuels will play in achieving this target, which is set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). According to the report, existing decarbonisation solutions, such as fuel efficiency measures, can cut shipping emissions by up to 27 per cent; however, sustainable fuels, such as ammonia, will be a critical step in eliminating the remaining 73 per cent.
Picture: Wärtsilä has signed a contract with Norwegian shipowner Eidesvik to supply the equipment for the conversion of the offshore platform supply vessel Viking Energy (photo by Peter Tubaas/Vestland Media).
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