World’s First Ammonia-powered Tugboat Sets Sail For The First Time

Amogy, a company specialising in ammonia-to-power solutions, has announced the successful maiden voyage of the world’s first ammonia-powered vessel.

The NH3 Kraken, built in 1957 as a tugboat, sailed on a Hudson River tributary near New York City.

The NH3 Kraken’s journey shows the possibility of using ammonia as a carbon-free fuel source for ships, which is an important step toward achieving the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Amogy’s ammonia-powered technology converts liquid ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen, which are then used in fuel cells to provide zero-emission power.

During the journey, the vessel was fueled with green ammonia, produced entirely from renewable energy, further reducing its environmental impact.

Video Credits: Amogy/YouTube

The trial contributes to Amogy’s earlier successful tests with aerial drones, farm tractors, and semi-trucks.

The company is already working on multiple contracts, including with Hanwha Ocean and Terox, to expand the real-world applications of their technology, which involves retrofitting existing ships and building new ones.

According to Amogy, the global shipping industry produces about 1 billion tons of greenhouse gases annually, making it a major contributor to global emissions.

The use of ammonia, which is already widely produced and transported globally, could be essential in reducing these emissions. Industry experts believe the transition to ammonia as a maritime fuel may happen immediately due to its well-established global distribution network.

Amogy plans to release a thorough case study with technical information on the project in the coming months.

Reference: Amogy