The global maritime sector is responsible for about 3 % of greenhouse gas emissions. Traditional marine fuels such as heavy fuel oil and marine diesel are carbon-intensive and emit sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides as well as particulate matter that can damage human health, degrade marine ecosystems and contribute to climate change.The ENGIMMONIA(opens in new window) project was launched to address this need by finding viable, scalable solutions for decarbonising shipping. “We had two key areas of focus,” explains ENGIMMONIA project coordinator Andrea Pestarino from RINA Consulting(opens in new window) in Italy. “The first was to test the viability of ammonia as a fuel in terms of combustion, emissions and efficiencies.”

Secondly, the project looked at the feasibility of applying low-carbon technologies typically used on land – such as photovoltaic panels – on board ships. The project team wanted to know if such technologies could be adapted to cope with harsh conditions at sea.

Refining low-carbon technologies
The project began by refining low-carbon technologies. These included Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems to recover waste heat, adsorption chillers that use that heat to provide cooling, and photovoltaic panels adapted specifically for the marine environment. “We had to ensure, for example, that photovoltaic coatings could withstand salty water,” says Pestarino.

Next, the project brought these technologies on board demonstration ships. In parallel, a digital energy management system (EMS) was developed to monitor and optimise ship energy use in real time.

The project also carried out a pre-feasibility study for ammonia bunkering in the Port of Genoa, assessing infrastructure requirements, operational feasibility and safety protocols. “This was a very important point to address,” adds Pestarino. “If we want to shift to different fuels, we need to put in place infrastructure. For example, people will not switch to electric vehicles unless there is a network of charging points available.”

Feasibility of ammonia as marine fuel
The project demonstrated the technical feasibility of ammonia as a marine fuel. ORC systems, adsorption chillers and PV installations were all successfully integrated, achieving measurable fuel savings of around 10 % for auxiliary engines.

“The marine-adapted photovoltaic modules and waste-heat-driven cooling systems are technological firsts, designed for the harsh conditions of life at sea,” notes Pestarino. “The EMS developed also offers ship operators powerful new tools to enhance operational efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.”

On the regulatory side, ENGIMMONIA’s work has directly contributed to the International Maritime Organization’s interim safety guidelines for ammonia use in ships, helping to lay the groundwork for safe and standardised adoption across the sector.

Encouraging adoption of low-carbon shipping
Next steps include refining ammonia combustion technology to further reduce nitrous oxide emissions while optimising engine efficiency. Project partners also intend to move from pilot-scale installations towards commercial deployment of ammonia-fuelled vessels.

“Developing ammonia bunkering capacity and safety infrastructure will be critical, alongside carrying out full life-cycle assessments to understand the environmental and economic implications of ammonia use in shipping,” explains Pestarino. “Continued engagement with regulators will also be essential to remove policy barriers and to create market incentives that encourage early adoption of low-carbon shipping solutions.”

In this way, ENGIMMONIA represents a significant milestone in establishing ammonia as a mainstream, zero-carbon fuel for the maritime industry(opens in new window).

“Ultimately, the ambition is for the maritime sector to achieve significant greenhouse gas reductions, improve air quality in coastal regions, and meet international climate goals while maintaining operational competitiveness,” says Pestarino. “This will position Europe at the forefront of a cleaner, greener and more sustainable global shipping industry.”

Source: European Commission