Norwegian shipowner Simon Mokster Shipping is to study whether it can use ammonia and LNG in dual-fuel engines.
The company has entered into a collaboration agreement with Finnish maritime technology group Wartsila.
The project will try to develop the use of carbon-free ammonia as the main fuel in dual-fuel vessels already operated on LNG.
"Ammonia is regarded as one of the most interesting marine fuels for the future. By use of a blend of ammonia and LNG, the emission of CO2 from the combustion process will be considerably reduced," Mokster said.
The aim of the project is to demonstrate that conversion of dual-fuel vessels is feasible and that operation of ships that powered by both ammonia and LNG can be done in a safe and efficient way, the shipowner added.
Long-term plan
The work could continue for "several years to come," Mokster said.
In March, the shipping company revealed big plans for decarbonisation as it continues to cut emissions.
In its first sustainability report, the privately owned offshore vessel company said total Scope 1 fleet CO2 emissions fell 13.9% to 78,900 tonnes in 2020. This compares to a 10% cut in 2019.
In addition, Mokster has installed shore power connections on three PSVs: the 6,000-dwt Stril Pioner (built 2003), and the 4,900-dwt Stril Polar (built 2012) and Stril Orion (built 2011), with more to come.
Last year, Mokster started looking at the feasibility of using liquid biogas on its LNG-powered ships.
The shipowner was established in Stavanger in 1968 by Captain Simon Mokster. It has been involved in offshore shipping since 1975, and in the offshore wind and renewables sectors since 2014.
