The Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection has granted approval for the construction of an ammonia bunkering facility at Fjord Base in Florø, Norway. This milestone signals a significant step forward in enabling ammonia as a safe and low-emission option for traditional shipping fuels.
Ammonia has long been acknowledged as a promising low-emission fuel for the shipping industry. However, the absence of infrastructure for safe transportation from production plants to vessels has been a notable gap. With the green light given to Yara Clean Ammonia, Azane, and Fjord Base, the pathway to establishing a secure ammonia bunkering terminal has been paved.
The planned terminal will feature a floating stationary barge boasting a capacity of 1000 cubic meters or 650 tons of low-emission ammonia. Under the permit, the terminal can conduct up to 416 operations annually, a significant portion of which are anticipated to involve bunkering operations for offshore supply vessels frequenting Fjord Base in Florø.
This initiative aligns with the broader objectives of Yara Clean Ammonia and Azane, aimed at promoting low-emission ammonia as a prevalent shipping fuel. As part of their strategy, the companies intend to deploy a network of terminals across Scandinavia. This development is pivotal in addressing the escalating demand for ammonia as a shipping fuel and providing the necessary incentives for ship operators to transition from conventional, high-emission fuels to the cleaner alternative of ammonia.
In Norway, the momentum for ammonia adoption appears to be accelerating, with ENOVA, the manager of the Norwegian Climate and Energy fund, planning ammonia grant tenders for both vessels and infrastructure in 2024. Several newbuilding projects and ongoing tender processes for ammonia-powered Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs) further underscore the growing interest in this eco-friendly fuel.
With the safety permit secured, Yara Clean Ammonia, Azane, and Fjord Base are now poised to collaborate with their project partners to obtain local municipality permits before making a final investment decision.
Magnus Ankarstrand, President of Yara Clean Ammonia, expressed gratitude for the permit, emphasizing the significance of ammonia in decarbonizing the maritime sector and highlighting its potential as a zero-emission shipping fuel.
Steinar Kostøl, VP Projects & Products at Azane, hailed the permit as a milestone for ammonia as a fuel, citing the clarity it provides on safety zones for bunkering operations and its implications for major ports worldwide.
Stig Førde, CEO of Fjord Base, welcomed the declaration of conformity issued by DSB, underscoring the community’s commitment to sustainability and innovation in minimizing carbon footprint.
This development not only propels the adoption of low-emission fuels but also underscores the industry’s collective effort towards a more sustainable future for maritime transportation.
