Wärtsilä has secured a deal with Norwegian shipowner Eidesvik to provide equipment for the conversion of an offshore platform supply vessel (PSV) to use ammonia fuel.
The vessel, ‘Viking Energy’, is under contract to energy firm Equinor and is slated for conversion in early 2026.
It is projected to begin running on ammonia in the first half of 2026, making it the world’s first ammonia-fuelled in-service ship.
In addition to chartering the vessel, Equinor provides money for the modification. Wärtsilä will supply the engine, fuel gas delivery system, and exhaust after-treatment for the conversion, making it the first vessel to employ their freshly released ammonia solution.
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Ammonia has emerged as a possible alternative fuel as the maritime sector seeks more sustainable fuel sources.
With new worldwide laws establishing a clear goal for shipping – net zero emissions by mid-century – ammonia will play a critical role in allowing the maritime sector to cut emissions.
Wärtsilä’s new paper underscores the importance of sustainable fuels in meeting the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) aim.
According to the paper, existing decarbonisation options, such as fuel efficiency measures, can reduce shipping emissions by up to 27 per cent; however, sustainable fuels, such as ammonia, will be important in reducing the remaining 73 per cent.
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Håkan Agnevall, President and CEO of Wärtsilä, said: “In just 25 years – the lifetime of a single vessel – shipping needs to get to net zero emissions. Achieving this will require coordinated action by all maritime industry stakeholders to bring about the system change needed to accept a new generation of sustainable fuels.
“With this new contract, together with Eidesvik, Wärtsilä is proud to be at the forefront of this movement. Decarbonisation is front and centre of our strategy and we are committed to developing and delivering sustainable solutions which not only ensure the viability of sustainable fuels, but also their safety.”
This current collaboration is reportedly the result of the ‘Apollo’ project, which is co-funded by the Horizon Europe framework programme.
The initiative seeks to speed the transition to a carbon-neutral Europe by 2050 by sponsoring projects like Apollo, which offer research and creative solutions in climate, energy, and transportation sectors.
Gitte Gard Talmo, CEO & President of Eidesvik Offshore, stated: “Close collaboration throughout the value chain is key to succeed in the green transition. Eidesvik has a unique history of pioneering the implementation of innovative emission-reducing technologies, and we are proud to spearhead yet another groundbreaking project together with Wärtsilä and Equinor.”
