Amogy, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding complete study on onboard hydrogen production

US-based ammonia-to-power solutions provider Amogy and Japan's Mitsubishi Shipbuilding have completed a feasibility study on concept designs for onboard hydrogen production and utilisation, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding announced on June 28.

The collaboration involves Amogy's ammonia-cracking technology and Mitsubishi Ammonia Supply and Safety System (MAmmoSS). The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding to conduct feasibility studies on an ammonia fuel supply system. This initiative aims to support the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) new target of achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the maritime industry by around 2050.

The feasibility studies focused on two collaborative concept designs: a powertrain combining ammonia cracking with a hydrogen fuel cell for ships and a hydrogen supply facility to provide hydrogen as pilot fuel for an ammonia fuel engine.

Ammonia, being carbon-free, has garnered attention as a fuel with the potential to significantly reduce GHG emissions in the maritime industry. It is anticipated to be a future source of stable, clean energy, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding said.

To unlock ammonia's potential, Amogy has developed an ammonia-to-electrical power system that "cracks" liquid ammonia into its base elements of hydrogen and nitrogen. The system then channels the hydrogen into a fuel cell to generate high-performance power, according to the Japanese company.