Amogy and C-Job Naval Architects are collaborating to retrofit an existing tugboat with ammonia-to-power technology.
As the ship design partner for Amogy, C-Job Naval Architects will integrate Amogy’s ammonia-to-power system into the tugboat and lay out the framework for execution activities at the shipyard, including retrofitting construction, and engine removal.
Hans Stoit, On-site Project Manager at C-Job Naval Architects, said: “We’re excited to be integrating Amogy’s technology into an existing tugboat and be able to fulfil the crucial risk-based design role that overcomes the challenges with ammonia as a fuel onboard a vessel.”
The tugboat will be both the first ammonia vessel planned to set sail as well as the first US Jones Act ammonia-powered vessel. The system onboard provides a total power output of 1MW, three times larger than the system field tested on Amogy’s ammonia-powered truck. Slated as the world’s first ammonia-powered ship to set sail, this project came with a range of opportunities and challenges, making the collaboration between Amogy, C-Job, DNV class, and the US Coast Guard (USCG) essential.
Since this project is one of a kind and pushes boundaries, risk-based design is used extensively where overall safety follows from the application of functional rules and risk assessment. This methodology was applied to design areas including mitigation of ammonia emissions, design precautions around potential leaks, and principal design choices to manage hazardous and dangerous zones.
Stoit continued: “The to-be-converted vessel will be considered a hybrid vessel with an ammonia-to-electricity power source using Amogy’s technology. With our extensive and broad maritime knowledge of newbuild and converting vessels (like repowering) with modern and out-of-the-box technology as well as our holistic approach towards all systems in the vessel, together we can make the difference to a scalable and worldwide applicable system towards a greener shipping industry. C-Job has been a strong believer in ammonia as a renewable fuel for years. We’re excited to apply our knowledge and experience on this first-ever ammonia-powered vessel.”
C-Job research published in 2019 showed that it is possible to safely implement ammonia as a marine fuel when safety measures are included in the design. Ammonia is expected to play an important role in reducing harmful emissions. Projects like this can help achieve IMO goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in shipping.
