Norwegian shipping firm Simon Mokster is joining forces with a unit of Finland’s Wartsila to find out whether it can combine ammonia and LNG in dual-fuel engines.
The offshore support vessel operator said it has signed a collaboration deal with Wartsila Norway to work on a feasibility study.
Also, the study would examine whether it is possible to utilize ammonia as the main fuel in LNG dual-fueled vessels operated by Mokster.
Simon Mokster sees ammonia as “one of the most interesting marine fuels for the future.”
By combining ammonia and LNG, Simon Moksters says it would “considerably” reduce the emission of CO2 from the combustion process.
The partners are looking to demonstrate that “conversion of dual-fuel vessels is feasible and that operation of ammonia-LNG vessels can be done in a safe and efficient way,” the firm said.
According to Simon Mokster’s website, it has a fleet of 17 vessels, including two LNG dual-fuel platform supply vessels. The LNG-powered Stril Barents also has a battery pack.
Both of these ships feature Wartsila DF engines.
The tech firm has a vast experience with LNG-powered vessels, but it also signed several deals this year for ammonia, including the recent collaboration with South Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries. The duo plan to develop ammonia-fuelled vessels with 4-stroke auxiliary engines.