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Amon Maritime has launched a groundbreaking new venture, Amon Gas, backed by a NOK 180 million investment grant from Enova. This grant was awarded during a ceremony hosted by the Norwegian Minister of Climate and the Environment, alongside Enova, at the DNV headquarters in Høvik.
André Risholm, CEO of Amon Maritime, heralded this development as a major step towards achieving carbon-free transportation systems in the gas carrier segment. “Amon Gas will provide the market with low-emission vessels while simultaneously meeting customer demands with innovative solutions,” said Risholm. The initiative aims to introduce a series of ammonia-powered MGCs (Medium Gas Carriers), starting with two firm orders, with the goal of having them operational by 2028.
The vessels under Amon Gas are designed to use ammonia as fuel, both for propulsion and power consumption, even when transporting LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) as cargo. These ships incorporate the latest energy-saving measures, making them pioneers in sustainable maritime technology. Given that MGCs are large vessels with high fuel consumption, the shift to ammonia is poised to significantly reduce their climate impact. Initial carbon emission calculations suggest an estimated 87% reduction compared to conventional vessels, with ambitions to reach a 100% reduction in the future.
Steinar Kostøl, CTO of Amon Maritime, highlighted the strategic benefits of using ammonia. “If ammonia is the fuel of the future, it will lead to a high growth in sea transport of ammonia. Ammonia is primarily transported on MGCs today,” he explained. By transporting ammonia, these vessels inherently solve the “chicken-and-egg” dilemma of making bunkering available, as the fuel is already on board as cargo. Additionally, since these ships are designed for ammonia transport, the relative additional cost in this segment compared to conventional ships will be less significant.
Amon Gas represents a significant leap forward in the maritime industry, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition to greener fuels. With this investment and strategic approach, Amon Maritime is setting a new standard for low-emission shipping solutions.
