Yara Clean Ammonia AS (YCA) and Norway’s North Sea Container Line AS are establishing a joint venture to launch the world’s first container ship that uses clean ammonia as a fuel.
The JV, NCL Oslofjord AS, will operate the ship Yara Eyde between Oslo and Porsgrunn in Norway, and Hamburg and Bremerhaven in Germany, beginning in 2026 when the vessel is scheduled for delivery, Yara International ASA reported on Nov. 30.
Upon establishment, the NCL Oslofjord joint venture aims to become the world’s first line operator to focus exclusively on ammonia-powered container ships.
The Norwegian government enterprise Enova has awarded the project just over NOK40 million (approximately $3.76 million at current exchange rates), and Yara described the support as “decisive” for implementing the project.
“Yara Eyde is optimized for the trade corridor between Norway and Germany, making the route the first emission-free route to the continent,” Yara said. “From 2026, Norwegian companies can trade in products emissions-free in and out of Norway.”
Yara International is participating as cargo-owner. The fertilizer produced in Porsgrunn will be shipped emissions-free to Germany, cutting scope 3 emissions with 11,000 mt of CO2 per year, the company said.
”Global shipping accounted for 706 million mt of CO2 emissions last year and it is imperative that we cooperate across the value chains to reach the 1.5 degree critical climate goal by 2030,” said Yara International President and CEO Svein Tore Holsether.
“This unique project takes a major step towards zero-emission supply chains for Yara and demonstrates that clean ammonia will be able to provide cost-effective and environmentally friendly maritime transport,” said YCA President Magnus Krogh Ankarstrand. “Yara Eyde will demonstrate the maturity of ammonia as a maritime fuel.”