Norwegian company Azane Fuel Solutions has announced that its floating ammonia bunkering solution has received Approval in Principle (AiP) from classification society DNV.
Azane says it addresses barriers for ship owners and cargo owners to decarbonise by providing bunkering solutions for the clean ammonia value chain. The AiP is an important step in further verifying readiness for the commercialisation of Azane’s proprietary ammonia bunkering terminals prior to commencing construction. DNV’s AIP confirms the feasibility and soundness of a design with no obstacles that would prevent the concept from being realized.
Providing a technical solution and infrastructure to implement ammonia as fuel
Azane sought third party approval to verify the safety of the floating bunkering solution, demonstrating the robustness of the system for commercial deployment. The approval enables Azane Fuel Solutions to strengthen its position as a provider of safe, turnkey bunkering terminals for the maritime industry. Additionally, this approval fits within the larger strategy for the company of forging a new safety protocol for ammonia bunkering in Northern Europe, with plans to expand safe ammonia bunkering globally.
In 2021 the Azane Shareholders, Amon Maritime and Econnect Energy, received support from Norway’s Green Initiative program for the Ammonia Fuel Bunkering Network, along with consortium partners. In April-2022 the company announced that Yara had pre-ordered up-to 15 units to sufficiently cover the Scandinavian market with needed ammonia bunkering infrastructure.
President, Yara Clean Ammonia, Magnus Ankarstrand, said: “Safe and efficient bunkering infrastructure is necessary to decarbonise the shipping industry with clean ammonia fuel. We are pleased to note that our partners in Azane Fuel Solutions have now received the approval-in-principle for ammonia bunkering terminals, moving one step closer to construction start.”
Following the DNV AiP, Azane and Yara will initiate an approval process with DSB (Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection) to establish potential bunkering locations in Norway and Scandinavia.
Azane Fuel Solutions Chairman André Risholm said: “Together with Yara, we are moving as fast as we can to realize carbon free shipping with ammonia fuel.”
The first 1,000m3 bunkering terminal is scheduled for operation in 2024. The bunkering terminals can be delivered worldwide and are designed to suit the global market.
