Ammonia-Powered Ship Set to Launch This Year by U.S. Startup

US: Amogy Inc., based in Brooklyn, New York, is on a mission to make history before this year is out. The company set its sights on building the world's first Ammonia-powered ship - and if successful, it could pave the way for commercial vessels powered by this innovative fuel next year.

The maritime transportation industry is in a difficult situation. Accounting for three percent of global carbon emissions, it has become essential to find greener alternatives to existing fuel sources. Electric batteries provide short-term solutions, but they are not capable of supporting long-haul transport. This is why Ammonia presents itself as a promising alternative - it must, however, prove its effectiveness before being widely adopted.

This year, Amogy is revolutionizing the transportation industry with its Ammonia-based power solutions. Founded in 2020, the company has demonstrated how to use Ammonia to power heavy duty machinery such as tractors and semi-trucks. Their high-energy density power solutions aim to decarbonize heavy-duty transportation, creating more sustainable options for the future.

The tugboat is often overlooked, yet it plays a pivotal role in the shipping industry. Now, is setting its sights on showcasing its innovative technology by putting it to use on water-based vehicles, with the tugboat being their first project. Having the capability to power a vessel like this could revolutionize many elements of the shipping and transportation world.

Amogy recently announced its selection of a 1957-built boat powered by electric motors and diesel generators. But the company is set to make history with their latest plans – replacing the diesel generator with an Ammonia-fuelled one that has three times the output used for a semi-truck demonstration. This 1-megawatt (1MW) generator will be unique in powering this vessel, setting a new precedent for boats around the world.

Amogy is exploring new ways to generate electricity and power electric motors - one of which is by splitting the compound Ammonia into two parts: Hydrogen and Nitrogen. The Hydrogen will be used in a fuel cell to create energy, while the Nitrogen will be used as combustion fuel. This is an innovative idea that could revolutionize the way we use energy in our day-to-day lives.

Ammonia may not pack the same energy-dense punch as diesel, but its combustion produces zero carbon emissions. The current process used to produce it is unfortunately a source of emissions. Thankfully, advancement in green Ammonia technologies means that cleaner production methods are on the horizon.

FFI's ground-breaking plans to launch the world's first Ammonia-powered vessel could be met with some competition. Interesting Engineering has heard that a company is planning to power a 75-foot vessel using Ammonia and FFI has given itself a 2022 deadline for an announcement. But other companies have already started working on similar initiatives, presenting a potential obstacle to FFI's mission.

The world's first title may be decided by someone, but it's not what matters most. What we need are innovations to reduce emissions from maritime transport if we want to reach our target of being carbon neutral by 2050 or even earlier. Every small step is part of the bigger picture and will contribute towards achieving this goal.