Amogy, Consortium Exploring Offshore Ammonia Cracking Feasibility

Amogy formed a strategic partnership with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE), POSCO Holdings, Seoul National University (SNU), and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). The consortium will assess the technological feasibility of an offshore ammonia cracking solution to produce low-cost, accessible, and clean hydrogen fuel.

HD KSOE will design the ammonia supply system and integrate it into the overall system; Amogy will provide its ammonia-cracking technology; SNU will lend expertise in process design and simulation; POSCO Holdings will leverage its cracking process design technology to optimize systems for ship applications; and ABS will oversee design certification.

“With the increasing emphasis on obtaining affordable clean hydrogen from international sources for diverse domestic industries, we are optimistic about the results of this joint research focused on offshore ammonia cracking solutions,” said Kwang-pil Chang, Chief Technology Officer of HD KSOE. “We are committed to collaborating with our partners to establish the most efficient and effective clean hydrogen supply chain.”

Amogy’s ammonia-cracking technology unlocks ammonia’s potential as a hydrogen carrier, utilizing catalyst materials to crack ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen at lower reaction temperatures with high durability. Lower temperatures and higher durability reduce heating and maintenance requirements.

Module to crack ammonia; Image Credits: Amogy

“Cracking ammonia offshore to produce hydrogen for industrial applications is a solution that can accelerate the energy transition in heavy industry,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. “At ABS, we are proud to support this coalition with our technical expertise and safety focus to navigate the regulatory and class elements of the design.”

South Korea, to reduce carbon emissions, aims to establish an ammonia market and accelerate ammonia-based technologies. Ammonia offers a cost-effective and convenient alternative to liquefied hydrogen due to its existing storage and transport infrastructure. Also, with energy density 2.7 times higher than hydrogen, ammonia may be an optimal, carbon-free fuel for the maritime industry.

Amogy’s Ammonia News

In March 2024, Green Ships Invest (GSI) and Amogy entered a contract to design and deploy ammonia-powered, carbon-free ePSVs, enabled by GSI’s purchase of Amogy’s ammonia-to-power solutions. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding in October 2023, and this deployment contract builds upon their existing partnership.

GSI will integrate 10 Amogy 200 kW ammonia-to-electrical power systems in the design of the eSPVs, which will also be equipped with 2 MW of ammonia-supported clean energy capacity. During the project’s second phase, GSI will apply Amogy’s systems in two additional vessels to support sustainable offshore operations. These vessels will be operated by Bourbon Horizon as part of their integration into the maritime industry.

Amogy’s ammonia-to-electrical power system will be the main propulsion method in GSI’s 82-meter ePSV design. The vessels will also be equipped with traditional diesel generators for power redundancy and operational reliability—ePSVs have the capability of 100% Marine Gasoil operation if required. A diesel engine backup provides a fail-safe, maintaining the vessel’s safety and performance while ensuring a commitment to sustainable operations.