Höegh Autoliners, a leading global roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) shipping company, has announced a partnership with Norwegian green energy company North Ammonia on the supply, distribution, delivery, and consumption of green ammonia, a carbon-free fuel produced using renewable energy sources, reports gcaptain.
About the partnership
The partnership specifically focuses on Höegh Autoliners’ ammonia-ready dual-fuel Aurora class vessels, the world’s largest and most environmentally friendly Pure Car, Truck Carriers. To date, company has ordered eight vessels in the class from Xiamen Shipbuilding in China, with the delivery of two vessels expected every six months starting in the second half of 2024.
The vessels are designed to transport up to 9,100 cars, and will come with strengthened decks and enhanced internal ramp systems to accommodate electric vehicles on all decks, as well as provide greater flexibility for heavier project cargo.
Green ammonia has emerged as a promising alternative fuel to help the maritime industry reduce its carbon emissions.
Under the deal, Höegh Autoliners will source green ammonia from North Ammonia’s planned production facility in Arendal, southern Norway.
“We are proud to partner with an ambitious Norwegian green ammonia supplier to transition towards a more sustainable future,” said Höegh Autoliners’ CEO, Andreas Enger. “This collaboration will not only reduce our environmental impact and carbon footprint. It will also set a new standard for the industry as a whole and assist our partners and customers in decarbonizing their supply chain.” Enger also mentioned the positive feedback and strong interest from major European car manufacturers in enabling lower-emission transportation of cars throughout the supply chain.
Sebjørn Dahl, COO of Höegh Autoliners, emphasized the significance of green ammonia as a viable maritime fuel, calling it a game-changer for the industry. He also noted the impressive speed of adoption so far.
“I thought this development would be achievable in 10 years’ time. But technology is moving faster than expected and the future is here. This partnership will ensure that we and our Norwegian industry suppliers will be well-positioned for seizing that very future. With this partnership, we are adding yet another steppingstone in designing the infrastructure of the future – with a green and sustainable focus,” Dahl said.
North Ammonia, established by Grieg Maritime Group and Arendals Fossekompani in 2021, aims to become Norway’s leading green energy provider for the maritime sector.
“In the maritime energy transition, we are dependent on first movers such as Höegh and this partnership demonstrates the growing demand for green ammonia in deep-sea shipping. As an infrastructure developer, we hope that this collaboration will inspire other companies in the industry to develop and order environmentally friendly vessels”, says CEO of North Ammonia, Vidar Lundberg.
Benefits
The collaboration will contribute to Höegh Autoliners hitting its goal of powering at least 5% of its deep-sea operations with green ammonia by 2030. It is also part of the company’s First Movers Coalition pledge and aligns with its goal of consuming a minimum of 100,000 metric tons of green ammonia within its fleet by the same year. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, the company operates approximately 40 RoRo vessels in global trade systems and makes around 3,000 port calls each year. The company employs around 375 people across its 16 offices worldwide and approximately 1,450 seafarers.
North Ammonia has selected the Eydehavn site at the Port of Arendal as the location for production, storage, and export infrastructure. The site offers strategic positioning for accessing the rest of Europe and efficient access to the power grid and renewable power supply. Operations are expected to commence in 2027.
Höegh Autoliners said the green ammonia bunkering is likely to take place in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam Antwerp area, with the distribution of green ammonia to bunkering locations in Europe, potentially facilitated by Grieg’s future ammonia bunkering vessels.
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Source: gcaptain
