Amogy and ITOCHU ally on use of ammonia system on maritime vessels

April 3, 2024, by Aida Čučuk

U.S.-based ammonia power solutions company Amogy has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japan-based trading and import/export company ITOCHU Corporation to explore the potential application of Amogy’s technology on ITOCHU’s maritime vessels.

Illustration only; Archive; Courtesy of NYK

Amogy described the technology in question as a modularized system that transforms liquid ammonia into electrical power; the technology involves “cracking” liquid ammonia into its base elements of hydrogen and nitrogen, with the hydrogen then funnelled into a fuel cell for efficient generation of electricity onboard a vessel.

The companies will investigate opportunities for deploying this system on vessels owned, operated or chartered by ITOCHU, Amogy said, noting that both parties will work closely to identify suitable vessels, offer information for retrofitting existing vessels or designing new ones, as well as contribute technical expertise and project scoping.

The partnership may also extend to other projects within the broader ammonia and hydrogen value chain, including initiatives such as ammonia bunkering projects, advisory services, equipment utilization and collaborations in ammonia supply, Amogy added.

Seonghoon Woo, CEO at Amogy, commented: “We are excited to embark on this journey with ITOCHU Corporation. This collaboration marks a significant step towards exploring sustainable energy solutions for the maritime industry. Together, we aim to drive innovation and contribute to a greener future.”

Takeo Akamatsu, General Manager of Green Innovation Business Unit at ITOCHU, stated: “We are glad to collaborate with Amogy and expect Amogy’s solution to be an option for development of our integrated project for using ammonia as a marine fuel.”

To remind, in 2024, Amogy signed a memorandum of understanding with W-Industries under which the two parties intend to explore opportunities for scaling the design and fabrication of modularized and containerized variants of Amogy’s products, including the establishment of a joint commissioning and service-support structure for future projects and product deployments.

Furthermore, the company firmed up its partnership with Green Ships Invest by signing a commercial contract to deploy Amogy’s ammonia technology on carbon-free electrical platform supply vessels (ePSVs).

As for ITOCHU, in 2024, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with U-Ming Marine Transport to explore the joint ownership and operation of ammonia-fueled ships. The joint work will also encompass the discussion and implementation of potential methods for achieving decarbonization in the maritime industry, including the use of alternative fuels such as methanol and devices for saving energy.