HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Unveils World’s First Ammonia Zero-Carbon Ship
Gas carriers Antwerp and Aarlon with safety tech set for May and July delivery
HD Hyundai Heavy Industries announced on the 9th that it has completed the world’s first ammonia-powered vessel and held a naming ceremony. This ship transports cargo by running its engine solely on ammonia without a single drop of oil, emitting zero carbon. It is regarded as a next-generation core technology that could reshape the market in the shipping industry, where eco-friendly regulations are tightening.
The company held the naming ceremony for two 46,000-cubic-meter mid-sized gas carriers equipped with ammonia dual-fuel (DF) engines, ordered by Belgian shipping company X-MAR in 2023. These are the first two of the four ships ordered, and the vessels were named *Antwerp* and *Aarlon*, derived from Belgian city names. The two ships are scheduled to be delivered to the owner in May and late July, respectively.
Ammonia is a carbon-free fuel that does not emit carbon dioxide when burned. Compared to hydrogen, another carbon-free fuel, ammonia is much easier to handle. While hydrogen must be kept at an extremely low temperature of -253°C to remain liquid, ammonia only requires -33°C. Its storage density is also higher, allowing more energy to be stored in the same volume. Additionally, global supply chains for ammonia are already well-established due to its long-term large-scale use in the fertilizer and chemical industries.
However, ammonia is toxic, posing significant safety risks, so advanced safety technologies are required to prevent leaks and ensure secure storage and supply. This vessel incorporates HD Hyundai Heavy Industries’ proprietary technologies. It is equipped with three self-designed and manufactured cargo tanks to stably transport ammonia and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), as well as a shaft generator that produces electricity from the propulsion engine’s rotational axis and a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system to reduce nitrogen oxides. Real-time leak detection and emission recovery systems were also implemented with in-house technologies.
Joo Won-ho, president of the Naval and Special Ship Business Unit at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, stated,
Just as we became the first in the world to build an ammonia-powered vessel requiring highly advanced technology, we will solidify our leadership in the global eco-friendly ship market through continuous technological innovation.
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HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Unveils World’s First Ammonia Zero-Carbon Ship, source
