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Wartsila to deliver its very first ammonia ship engine in early 2025

Ship engine manufacturer Wartsila expects to provide its very first ammoniafuelled engine on a new vessel in early 2025, with more widespread sales expected in the 2030s, a business executive informed .

Ammonia is amongst a number of alternative fuels that carriers are exploring to reduce carbon emissions.

The company launched its first ammonia four-stroke engine for orders in the fourth quarter last year, with the first such engine to be provided early next year on a vessel, Roger Holm, president of marine and executive vice president at Finland-based Wartsila, stated today.

He included that there has been increasing interest from clients for alternative fuel engines due to the latest European Union regulations.

The company declined to talk about the client and the type of ship for now.

Ship owners are becoming significantly concentrated on future-proofing their fleets, and know the progressing regulatory landscape for maritime decarbonisation, Holm stated.

As a result, we might anticipate to see sales of ammonia engines increase quickly before 2030 with first adoption from significant market gamers, before ending up being widespread in the 2030s, Holm added.

He estimated that green fuels might potentially comprise about 5% to 10% of the global bunker market by 2030, however expects decades before a major uptake of green fuels in shipping as minimal production capacity will posture obstacles.

The engine innovation exists however the key here will be fuel accessibility. I think that's the most significant constraint in getting the uptake of green fuel, stated Holm.

While methanol-fuelled engines have acquired more traction in recent years, broader sales of ammonia engines are anticipated to take off just in the 2030s.

The concern with ammonia is that it's 3.9 times the (onboard. dealing with) area required of standard fuels, he said, including. that methanol only takes 1.7 times more space in comparison.

He anticipates ammonia to capture up in the long term as its main. benefit is that it can be burned without discharging carbon.

We see most interest from a client perspective from. Norway, and to some extent likewise I think Japan will be a front. runner, Holm stated.

Ammonia does not consist of carbon however is hazardous in nature,. requiring more stringent precaution when dealt with as a. marine fuel.

(source: Reuters)