The planned ammonia bunkering facility at Fjord Base in Florø, Norway, has been approved for construction by the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection. The permit is a major step towards making ammonia a low-emission, safe substitute for conventional transport fuels.
It is widely accepted that ammonia is a low-emission shipping fuel. Ammonia is a decarbonised shipping fuel that is gaining popularity, but the last part of the journey, from the production plant to the vessel, has not been covered. The proposed ammonia bunkering terminal can now satisfy the strict safety requirements of the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB), thanks to the efforts of Yara Clean Ammonia, Azane, and Fjord Base.
A floating stationary barge capable of holding 650 tonnes, or 1000 cubic metres, of low-emission ammonia makes up the proposed terminal. Up to 416 operations per year are permitted under the permit, many of which are anticipated to be bunkering operations for offshore supply vessels that make frequent calls at Fjord Base in Florø.
Azane and Yara Clean Ammonia are working to standardise low-emission ammonia as a fuel for shipping, and this includes the proposed terminal. The companies plan to establish a network of terminals throughout Scandinavia, leveraging ammonia’s capacity to completely decarbonise the maritime industry. This milestone is necessary to meet the rising demand for ammonia as a shipping fuel and to provide the incentives required to encourage ship owners and operators to convert from higher-cost, high-emitting fuels to ammonia, which has lower emissions. The Norwegian government’s climate and energy fund is managed by ENOVA, which plans to hold grant tenders for ammonia-powered ships and ammonia infrastructure in 2024, suggesting that demand is growing in the country. Numerous new construction projects are in the works, and tenders for Platform Supply Vessels (PSV) powered by ammonia are still being conducted.
Before making a final investment decision, Yara Clean Ammonia, Azane, and Fjord Base will begin working with their project partners to secure permission from the local municipality.
“We are grateful for the permit awarded from the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection. This acknowledges how ammonia can be used safely and efficiently as a shipping fuel at the site in Kinn. The ammonia terminal will enable the decarbonization of the maritime sector and showcase ammonia’s assets as a zero-emission shipping fuel. We look forward to working together with our partners and the local community in Kinn to complete the project and provide the shipping fuel for the future to the Norwegian offshore supply segment.”
Magnus Ankarstrand, President of Yara Clean Ammonia.
“This marks a milestone for ammonia as a fuel. Now we finally know with certainty the safety zones we will have to operate under when bunkering ammonia. The required safety zones are very encouraging and demonstrate how it will be possible to bunker ammonia in the biggest and busiest ports around the world.”
Steinar Kostøl, VP Projects& Products, Azane.
“The Fjord Base community welcomes with great enthusiasm the declaration of conformity issued by DSB. It underscores our commitment to providing our customers with innovative solutions aimed at minimizing their carbon footprint. The development of an ammonia bunkering terminal marks a significant step forward in this endeavor, bolstering our competitive edge at Fjord Base and showcasing our dedication to sustainability.”
Stig Førde, CEO at Fjord Base.
If you are interested in Maritime suppliers working to increase the sustainability in the shipping industry, contact us today about our MTB Marine events.
