Four-stroke ammonia engine promises significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions for short-sea shipping.
Norway-based Skarv Shipping Solutions has selected Wärtsilä’s advanced Wärtsilä 25 Ammonia solution to power a new cargo vessel under construction at Huanghai Shipyard in China. The vessel will be the first newbuild to integrate the cutting-edge ammonia propulsion system, marking a significant step forward in sustainable maritime technology.
The four-stroke ammonia engine promises substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with Skarv Shipping Solutions’ goal of delivering sustainable short-sea shipping in Northern Europe. Wärtsilä’s scope of supply also includes the full fuel gas supply system and exhaust after-treatment, ensuring a complete turnkey solution.
Ammonia has emerged as a promising alternative fuel and will play a significant role in achieving the net-zero-emissions target for 2050. A report from Wärtsilä – ‘Sustainable fuels for shipping by 2050 – the 3 key elements of success’ – 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, could cut shipping emissions by up to 27 percent. Sustainable fuels, such as ammonia, are then a critical step in eliminating the remaining 73 percent.
“Our aim is to prove that it is possible to renew the European short-sea fleet while making it more climate-friendly. That means implementing a whole array of technologies. We see ammonia as one of the future fuels and are happy to see strong European companies like Wärtsilä leading the push towards carbon-free propulsion. The Wärtsilä 25 Ammonia solution promises exactly what we are looking for: robust safety and environmental measures combined with advanced energy efficient technology,” says Jan Øivind Svardal, CEO – Skarv Shipping Solutions.
Wärtsilä will supply the complete ammonia solution including the Wärtsilä 25 Ammonia engine, AmmoniaPac Fuel Gas Supply System, the Wärtsilä Ammonia Release Mitigation System (WARMS), and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system designed for ammonia. Safety, efficiency and reliability are central to Wärtsilä’s solution design. Total greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by at least 90% when running the engine on sustainable ammonia, compared to equivalent diesel engines. This allows operators to meet current EU emissions targets for 2050, and to also exceed the IMO target for 2040.
“The Wärtsilä 25 Ammonia engine and the whole solution is the result of extensive research and testing over a number of years, in line with our commitment to decarbonising shipping operations,” comments Roger Holm, President of Wärtsilä Marine & Executive Vice President at Wärtsilä Corporation. “Through our focus on continuous improvement, we have developed the Wärtsilä 25 engine, along with our associated ammonia handling systems, to deliver outstanding levels of safety, efficiency, reliability and sustainability. This solution offers the marine industry a future-ready solution that is available today.”
