Oslo-based Pherousa Green Shipping AS (PGS) reported that it plans to place orders for up to six ammonia-fueled ultramax dry bulk carriers designed by Deltamarin in Finland, using Pherousa Green Technology’s (PGT) advanced ammonia cracking technology.
PGT allows the ship’s engines to be operated with a minimal amount of pilot fuel, providing a zero-emission vessel using enriched ammonia and hydrogen as fuel. The system also enables the use of pure hydrogen in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells instead of direct ammonia fuel cells for electric power production.
“The only fuel that is truly zero emission is hydrogen, but hydrogen storage is the biggest challenge for deep-sea shipping,” said PGT Group Chairman Hans Bredrup. “Ammonia is the only readily available hydrogen carrier that has no carbon in its molecule, therefore the only truly zero-carbon hydrogen carrier. The ammonia cracking technology developed by PGT is a game changer that could become a major contributor toward the realization of the world’s zero-emission shipping.”
According to the agreement, PGT will deliver “plug and play” ammonia crackers to PGS for onboard installation. The initial fleet of six ultramax dry bulk carriers is aimed at the worldwide copper industry. The two companies also plan to enter into a strategic partnership agreement to drive the development of ammonia technology for use within the deep-sea segment.