Finnish tech giant to supply equipment for ‘world’s first ammonia-fueled PSV retrofit project’

Norwegian shipowner Eidesvik has partnered with Finnish technology group Wärtsilä on the ‘world’s first ammonia-fuel retrofit project’ for an offshore platform supply vessel (PSV).

Under the agreement signed between the companies, Wärtsilä will supply the equipment for the conversion of PSV Viking Energy to operate with ammonia fuel.

The vessel, built in 2023, is 94.9 meters long and 20.4 meters wide, with a tank capacity of 220 cubic meters. Currently, it operates on liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel technology.

The PSV, which is on contract with energy major Equinor, is scheduled for conversion in early 2026 and is expected to start operating on ammonia in the first half of 2026.

In addition to chartering the vessel, Equinor will contribute with financing for the conversion.

Wärtsilä is contracted to supply the engine and complete fuel gas supply system and exhaust after-treatment needed for the conversion, making it also the first vessel to use Wärtsilä’s recently released ammonia solution. 

In addition to the Wärtsilä 25 Ammonia engine, Wärtsilä will supply the complete ammonia solution, including its AmmoniaPac fuel gas supply system, the Wärtsilä ammonia release mitigation system (WARMS), and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system designed for ammonia. The service agreement also covers the maintenance of the vessel.

“In just 25 years – the lifetime of a single vessel – shipping needs to get to net zero emissions. Achieving this will require coordinated action by all maritime industry stakeholders to bring about the system change needed to accept a new generation of sustainable fuels. With this new contract, together with Eidesvik, Wärtsilä is proud to be at the forefront of this movement. Decarbonisation is front and centre of our strategy and we are committed to developing and delivering sustainable solutions which not only ensure the viability of sustainable fuels, but also their safety,” Håkan Agnevall, President and CEO of Wärtsilä commented.

“With this new contract, together with Eidesvik, Wärtsilä is proud to be at the forefront of this movement. Decarbonisation is front and centre of our strategy and we are committed to developing and delivering sustainable solutions which not only ensure the viability of sustainable fuels, but also their safety.” 

“Close collaboration throughout the value chain is key to succeed in the green transition. Eidesvik has a unique history of pioneering the implementation of innovative emission-reducing technologies, and we are proud to spearhead yet another groundbreaking project together with Wärtsilä and Equinor,” said Gitte Gard Talmo, CEO & President of Eidesvik Offshore.

To remind, the firm introduced the marine sector’s first commercially available 4-stroke engine-based solution for ammonia fuel Wärtsilä 25 in November last year.

The Finnish company claims that the new solution can immediately reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 70 percent, compared to a similar-sized diesel solution, meeting current EU targets until 2050 and even exceeding the IMO target for 2040.

The development goal was to meet both technical and operational requirements for ammonia-fueled vessels, and safety considerations have been taken into account.

The project was supported by Viridis Bulk Carriers, which will be the first shipowner to benefit from the new ammonia solution. The company is a partnership between Amon Maritime, Mosvolds Rederi and Navigare Logistics.

Viridis Bulk Carriers plans to bring a ‘green game changer’ to the European short sea bulk market, planning a carbon-free transportation service based on a series of ammonia-powered newbuild vessels.

Meanwhile, Wärtsilä partnered with Italian classification society RINA and cargo handling systems maker Gas and Heat for the development of a new ammonia-fueled bunkering vessel. Under the agreement, Gas and Heat will develop the basic design of the cargo handling system while Wärtsilä will support the project by designing an optimized integrated propulsion solution in which the core element will include its 4-stroke engine-based solution for ammonia fuel.

A recent report by Wärtsilä highlights the role that sustainable fuels will play in achieving this target which is set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

According to the report, existing decarbonization solutions, such as fuel efficiency measures, can cut shipping emissions by up to 27 percent; however, sustainable fuels, such as ammonia, will be a critical step in eliminating the remaining 73 percent.