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Date: 30/10/2024

Ammonia faces cost, safety hurdles as shipping fuel

Ammonia faces major cost and safety hurdles as a shipping fuel compared to others, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), methanol and biofuels. Ammonia’s appeal is that it is carbon-free and would be a zero-emission fuel if made from hydrogen produced with renewable electricity. However, safety is a big challenge for the product typically used for fertilisers and explosives. Currently, the lack of regulation, experience in use, and toxicity of ammonia on board ships constitute major safety deterrents. Globally, only 25 ammonia dual-fuel ships have been ordered as of 2024, trailing a fleet of at least 722 LNG-fuelled ships and 62 methanol-fuelled ships as of the same year, which includes orders and ships that are already in operation, as per a report.

Source: Exim News Service: New Delhi, Oct. 29