North Ammonia to supply ammonia fuel for Höegh Autoliners’ fleet

Ammonia production near Eydehavn, Norway

Norway-based North Ammonia will supply at least 100,000 tonnes per year of electrolysis-based ammonia to Höegh Autoliners from 2030. The ammonia fuel will power Höegh’s future fleet of eight Aurora class, ammonia-ready car carriers, representing about 5% of the organisation’s deep sea shipping operations. Höegh is expecting delivery of its first pair of Aurora class vessels later next year, with China Merchants Heavy Industry contracted to build the vessels in Jiangsu, China. Bunkering for these vessels is likely to occur in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam Antwerp area.

The fact that green ammonia is becoming a totally viable maritime fuel is a game-changer for our industry. We believe it will set the standard for others to follow. I thought this development would be achievable in 10 years’ time. But technology is moving faster than expected and the future is here.

Höegh Autoliners COO Sebjørn Dahl, in his organisation’s official press release, 11 May 2023

We are proud to partner with an ambitious Norwegian green ammonia supplier to transition towards a more sustainable future. This collaboration will…set a new standard for the industry as a whole and assist our partners and customers in decarbonizing their supply chain. We are receiving positive feedback and strong signals from major car manufacturers in Europe about enabling lower-emission transport of cars from the manufacturing site to the customers. We are excited to be at the forefront of the movement towards a greener, more sustainable future for all.

Höegh Autoliners CEO Andreas Enger, in his organisation’s official press release, 11 May 2023

North Ammonia has selected a site near Eydehavn village and the Arendal Harbor for its ammonia production project. Located on Norway’s southern coast, the location sits near the meeting of the North Sea and Skagerrak Straits – a key area for European shipping. The production plant will have direct access to a designated jetty and bunkering facilities, and produce 100,000 tonnes of ammonia per year in the first phase. Electrolytic hydrogen will be produced via direct connection to Norway’s low-carbon grid, with operations to begin in 2027.

North Ammonia was established by Greig Maritime and Arendals Fossekompani in 2021. Grieg already has a significant presence in the emerging ammonia energy space, including its leading role in the development of the MS Green Ammonia (a vessel that will also be capable of ship-to-ship bunkering), a partnership with Exxon Mobil to decarbonise the Slagen terminal in Norway, and a recent technical study exploring the retrofit of existing vessels to run on ammonia fuel.

More Norwegian government grants for ammonia shipping

Skarv Shipping Solutions (another Grieg joint venture) will receive nearly $12 million in Enova funding for three short-haul cargo ships. The three ships will feature a mixture of technologies: rotor sails, hybrid electric systems, and four-stroke maritime engines powered by ammonia fuel. Skarv indicates the engines will “probably” be supplied by Wärtsilä, who are currently in the process of testing & commercialising their ammonia-powered engine offerings. In this month’s episode of Maritime Ammonia Insights, Wärtsilä shared some key safety learnings from their engine tests to date, including engine & engine room design features that will reduce risks to seafarers.