Equinor is seeking to develop an ammonia fuel bunkering study with Norwegian ammonia bunkering technology developer, Azane Fuel Solutions. The study is intended to address several of the main obstacles to introducing an ammonia fuel bunker supply chain in Norway, including developing estimates of ammonia fuel demand, as well as optimising the ammonia fuel supply value chain. Safety issues relating to ammonia’s properties form a third focus of the study.
The project will develop forecasts of ammonia fuel demand between 2025-2030 in the Norwegian offshore sector, alongside optimising the ammonia fuel value chain from production to consumption, focusing on efficient distribution and establishment of bunkering terminals at strategic locations.
A specific objective of the project will be conducting site-specific location planning for ammonia bunkering.
The Motorship notes that the Norwegian government is actively considering introducing requirements for vessels to operate on zero emissions fuel (such as ammonia) for operations in the Norwegian offshore sector from 2029.
This project expands upon research conducted as part of the AFBN - Ammonia fuel bunkering network project since 2021. The consortium includes Yara Clean Ammonia, SINTEF, and Fjord Base (Norway’s largest offshore supply base). The collaborative project aims to advance the development of ammonia fuel bunkering technologies, leveraging the expertise and resources of all involved parties.
In April 2022 it was announced that Yara has pre-ordered up to 15 ammonia bunkering terminals to sufficiently cover the Scandinavian market in a multi-year contract with Azane Fuel Solutions.
