Mining giant BHP, Berge Bulk and ammonia suppliers sign up to zero-emission shipping trial
Project has been orchestrated by an Affinity broker who chairs technology company
Mining giant BHP, shipowner Berge Bulk and two ammonia fuel suppliers are collaborating with start-up Pherousa in trialling onboard ammonia-hydrogen crackers.
The two-year pilot aims to commercialise the technology to enable zero-emission transport of copper from Chile to China.
The onboard cracking technology produces hydrogen to fuel ships’ proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells and has been developed by Oslo-based start-up Pherousa.
Pherousa Shipping, a subsidiary of the group, has designed and plans to order six fully electric ultramaxes fitted with the onboard ammonia crackers, specialised for the copper industry.
If the trial is successful, Pherousa hopes to scale up the cracker design and place orders for the electric ultramaxes in 2027 for delivery three years later.
Ammonia fuel producers Engie and Mejillones Ammonia Energy (MAE) are also participating in the pilot programme.
The shipping project has been put together by Pherousa chairman Hans Bredrup, who is better known for being Affinity (Shipping)’s head of dry cargo for the Americas. Pherousa is not linked to the shipbroking group.
Bredrup, said:
I am pleased to highlight the significant progress and achievements of our technology, steering into the marine pilot programme, which is the last step towards full commercialisation of our efficient ammonia-to-hydrogen cracking technology.
“The continued operation of the ultramax project further underscores our commitment to innovation and excellence in the maritime industry, by shaping the future of shipping.”
Trial plan
In the pilot, Pherousa’s ammonia-hydrogen cracker will be installed on board a host vessel as a 40-foot container with a tank.
Pherousa’s initial 10 kW cracker prototype is being scaled up into modular onboard unit, which will have a power output of over 250 kW.
The company and its shareholder Metacon, which originated the ammonia-hydrogen cracker design 20 years ago, have already completed the pre-design stage.
Metacon chief executive Christer Wikner, said:
What we are doing in this transformational project could have implications for large parts of the entire future maritime shipping industry.
“A powerful group of technology and industry stakeholders is now coming together around a new clean propulsion technology based on ammonia as fuel towards completely carbon-free sea transport.”
Work has now begun on formal designs, before construction of the onboard unit begins in March or April.
Testing of the unit on board a vessel is scheduled for early 2027, after which the programme hopes to secure final type approval.
If the pilot is successful, the cracker will be scaled up to “megawatt capacity” and Pherousa will begin tendering its order to shipyards in September 2027.
The company said its ultimate aim is to scale up its ammonia-hydrogen technology so that it can be commercialised for any ship type.
Engie and MAE have plans for massive green ammonia production plants in northern Chile.
This could open up a new ammonia energy export market and supply Pherousa Shipping ultramaxes.
Decarbonisation of copper supply chains has become a hot topic as uptake of electrification and renewables projects gathers pace.
Copper concentrate is used to produce copper winding wire and cabling used in these projects.
He also led the company’s digitalisation and sustainability initiatives, and worked previously for trading giant Glencore.
Since leaving Viterra, Wakker has set up his own business as a strategy consultant, specialising in decarbonisation, digital innovation and navigating other kinds of complex transitions.
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Mining giant BHP, Berge Bulk and ammonia suppliers sign up to zero-emission shipping trial, source
