Norway’s EConnect Energy is to supply a jettyless vessel loading system for Asia’s first green ammonia export project.

The company will work with Vietnamese producer The Green Solutions (TGS), with the first fuel due in 2024.

The first step will see EConnect perform a pre-front end engineering design (FEED) study at the facility in Tra Vinh.

This will be followed by an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the fabrication and installation of its jettyless IQuay system to transfer the ammonia from the plant to vessels.

TGS told TradeWinds that no new ships will be needed for the project, as the company will charter existing ammonia carriers.

The company added: “As per off-take agreements, the target markets are Asia-Pacific and western Europe for either power generation or as shipping fuel. The final uses will be defined by the off-taker.”

EConnect, formerly Connect LNG, launched its first IQuay C-class system in 2017 connecting visiting LNG carriers to floating LNG terminals and worked with Spain’s Naturgy on its first unit.

The company also has a joint venture called Azane Fuel Solutions that is planning to deliver ammonia bunkering services in Norway.

It is working with Mosvolds Rederi-backed Amon Maritime on this scheme.

“The Green Solutions Group is proud of being the pioneer in green hydrogen and green ammonia industry in Vietnam, and one of the first in the world utilising jettyless technology in place of traditional port infrastructure,” said TGS founder and chief executive Winnie Huynh.

Initially, the ammonia export project will use green credit from the grid — up to 240MW of installed capacity to produce 210,000 tonnes of ammonia per day.

German technology to be used

TGS has entered into agreements with German electrolyser manufacturer Thyssen Krupp for the plant.

“TGS has an impressive track record of green energy project development, and we are pleased to contribute our IQuay ammonia solution,” said EConnect Energy CEO Morten Christophersen.

“The low-footprint design of the IQuay is the perfect solution to overcome the challenges of the region’s shallow waters, enabling the marine-based export of green ammonia,” he added.

EConnect’s system has previously been linked to Delta Offshore Energy’s plan for its project to set up an LNG import facility for Vietnam.