Finnish engine manufacturer Wartsila has announced a partnership with Norwegian shipowner Eidesvik to retrofit a platform supply vessel (PSV) to run on ammonia fuel. The vessel, Viking Energy, will become the world's first ammonia-fuelled PSV in service, marking a significant step in reducing carbon emissions in the shipping industry.
The Viking Energy, currently chartered by Norway's energy giant Equinor, is scheduled for conversion in early 2026, with operational deployment expected by mid-year. This innovative shift is part of Equinor's broader strategy to enhance sustainability and reduce the carbon footprint of its fleet.
Ammonia, a potential game-changer in alternative fuels, offers more than a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional diesel-based solutions. Wartsila, which began offering its first ammonia four-stroke engine for orders in late 2023, sees this technology as crucial in achieving global emission targets. The company anticipates delivering its first ammonia-fuelled engine on a new vessel by early 2025, with broader market adoption expected in the 2030s.
As the shipping industry faces increasing pressure to decarbonise, the successful deployment of ammonia as a fuel could pave the way for more sustainable maritime operations worldwide
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