Green NortH2 Energy, Meriaura and Wärtsilä have signed a Letter of Intent for the building of a cargo vessel that runs on green ammonia. The vessel, equipped with Wärtsilä’s modular multifuel main engines, will be ordered and operated by Meriaura, and Green NortH2 Energy is responsible for supplying green ammonia fuel, which is produced with renewable electricity. The delivery of the vessel is targeted for 2024 and it is planned to start operating on green ammonia in 2026.
Green ammonia has a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions of shipping because the energy needs of this industry cannot be met with battery technology. Compared to hydrogen, it can be stored and moved more easily, and its logistical network already exists.
The vessel is designed to trade in heavy project cargo segment together with Meriaura’s existing open deck carriers. Besides ammonia, it can be powered by bio oil or MDO. Meriaura has a long history as a forerunner of renewable energy solutions for short sea shipping activities.
“This is a natural step in Meriaura’s future fleet portfolio, complementing the fuel mix together with our in-house biofuel (LBO) production. This collaboration supports our ongoing newbuilding program and carbon neutrality goals”, says Jussi Mälkiä, Chairman of Meriaura.
The close cooperation among the leading industry players in the hydrogen economy, mechanical engineering, shipbuilding and maritime commerce supports the viability of Finnish maritime ecosystem and enhances the regional green transition efforts.
“The contract shows the significance of our green energy project. We are very happy to join forces with such outstanding partners. This is a great way to speed up the green transition, which is no longer a utopia but a reality”, says Jussi Ylinen, CEO of Green NortH2 Energy.
The project is a continuation of the ship development cooperation between Green NortH2 Energy’s parent company Elomatic and Meriaura, which was started to renew lake Saimaa’s traffic. However, Russia’s attack on Ukraine moved the project from lake Saimaa to the sea.