Fortescue, in collaboration with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), government bodies, research institutions, and industry partners, has successfully executed the inaugural utilisation of ammonia as a marine fuel aboard the Fortescue Green Pioneer, a dual-fueled vessel, within the confines of the Port of Singapore.
The vessel, equipped to run on a combination of ammonia and diesel in its combustion process, obtained liquid ammonia from the established facility at Vopak Banyan Terminal on Jurong Island for this pivotal fuel trial.
Notably, the vessel has secured flag approval from the Singapore Registry of Ships (SRS) along with the coveted “Gas Fueled Ammonia” notation from classification society DNV, thus enabling its utilisation of ammonia-diesel blend as a maritime fuel.
Ammonia, conventionally employed in agriculture and industry, emerges as a promising carrier for hydrogen, pivotal for power generation and marine propulsion in line with the global energy transition.
This development comes amid increasing orders for dual-fueled ammonia vessels worldwide, underscoring the growing interest in ammonia as a viable marine fuel.
The journey towards deploying the world’s first ocean-going ammonia-powered vessel commenced in 2022 when Fortescue successfully converted a four-stroke engine to accommodate ammonia alongside diesel at its land-based testing facility in Perth, Australia.
Subsequently, conversion work transpired on the vessel at Seatrium’s Benoi yard from July 2023 onwards. This encompassed the installation of the gas fuel delivery system, safety infrastructure, and the successful adaptation of two out of four engines onboard to facilitate the usage of ammonia-diesel blend for propulsion.
Notably, during its journey from Singapore to the Middle East in December 2023, the Fortescue Green Pioneer was showcased at significant environmental forums in Dubai, drawing the attention of global leaders and industry stakeholders.
Prior to commencing operations in Singapore, exhaustive safety measures were undertaken, including Hazard Identification Study workshops and specialised training sessions for crew members to ensure preparedness for potential emergencies.
Additionally, an ammonia plume model was collaboratively developed by various research institutions to guide safety protocols and incident response planning during operations.
The fuel trial, spanning seven weeks, involved comprehensive testing of the vessel’s ammonia storage systems, fuel delivery mechanism, retrofitted engines, and overall seaworthiness.
Noteworthy safety precautions were implemented, including the utilisation of personal protective equipment by crew members.
Importantly, the trial marked a significant step towards commercialising ammonia-fueled marine engines, with post-combustion emissions meeting local air quality standards.
Furthermore, Vopak’s provision of liquid ammonia for the trial underscores the feasibility of leveraging existing infrastructure to support the adoption of ammonia as a marine fuel globally.
The collaboration between Fortescue, MPA, and industry partners, underpinned by rigorous technology qualification processes, exemplifies Singapore’s leadership in alternative fuel bunkering and maritime innovation.
