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In a groundbreaking move towards greener maritime transport, Yara Clean Ammonia, in collaboration with NorthSea Container Line and Yara International, is set to launch the world’s first container ship powered by clean ammonia. The vessel, named Yara Eyde, will ply the waters between Norway and Germany, marking a significant milestone in emissions-free sea transportation.
Svein Tore Holsether, CEO of Yara International, emphasized the urgency of combating the climate crisis, stating, “The world is in the midst of a climate crisis, and all efforts must now come together to swiftly reduce emissions. We are delighted to collaborate across sectors and demonstrate that crucial emission reductions are possible. The green journey began with Yara Birkeland, the world’s first autonomous electric container ship, and now continues with Yara Eyde, which will be the world’s first container ship powered by clean ammonia.”
A New Era of Green Shipping
Yara Eyde has been tailored for the trade corridor between Norway and Europe, with planned routes encompassing Oslo, Brevik, Hamburg, and Bremerhaven. Starting from 2026, Norwegian companies will have the opportunity to export their products in an environmentally conscious manner, while imported goods can reach Norway emission-free.
Bente Hetland of North Sea Container Line noted the growing demand from cargo owners to reduce emissions, affirming that the ship will offer competitive and emissions-free logistics to all cargo owners in the Oslo Fjord and Grenland region.
Yara’s Strategic Vision
Leveraging its position as the world’s largest ammonia company with scale advantages in production, terminals, and ammonia ships, Yara has a unique opportunity to scale up these business areas by venturing into new market segments, primarily within shipping.
Magnus Krogh Ankarstrand, Head of Yara Clean Ammonia, explained, “Yara has chosen to participate in this project to demonstrate that this segment can generate additional growth for ammonia in the short term. Yara will contribute to developing this new market, strategically allocating our resources to the production and logistics segment rather than prioritizing ownership in ships.”
Secure Bunkering Network for Clean Ammonia
Yara Clean Ammonia will supply Yara Eyde with ammonia produced with minimal to no fossil emissions. In collaboration with Azane Fuel Solutions, a storage and bunkering network is being developed to make clean ammonia available in Norwegian and eventually Scandinavian ports. This network also holds promise in helping Norway achieve its emissions reduction goals in the offshore sector.
Initial pilots are supported by Enova and Innovasjon Norge, with one of the barges planned to supply Yara Eyde with low-emission fuel in Brevik. The vessel will incorporate a range of energy-saving measures to further enhance its eco-friendly profile.
Ammonia: Paving the Way for Green Maritime Transportation
Maritime transport accounts for 2% of global CO2 emissions, amounting to a staggering 706 million tons in 2022. Clean ammonia presents a promising solution to slash emissions from shipping, enabling goods to be transported across the globe in an environmentally friendly manner.
Magnus Krogh Ankarstrand highlighted the environmental benefits, stating, “Ammonia as a fuel does not pollute. When we produce ammonia from renewable energy or natural gas, with up to 95% of CO2 emissions captured and permanently stored, clean ammonia will quickly become a viable solution for reducing carbon emissions in the maritime sector. Yara Eyde will demonstrate the maturity of ammonia as a maritime fuel.”
