Svanehøj Supplies Cryogenic Deepwell Pumps for Bulk Carriers

Svanehøj, a subsidiary of ITT Inc., received a contract to provide deepwell ammonia fuel pumps for eight bulk carriers owned by a maritime shipping and logistics group. The pumps will deliver a reliable fuel supply and are compatible with all liquefied gas fuels, including LNG, LPG, methanol, and ammonia. Svanehøj will deliver the first two pumps in 2024, fulfilling the complete order in 2025.

“Svanehøj continues to build trust with its customers through its experience in green applications, execution, and rapid response times,” said Luca Savi, President and CEO, ITT. “Awards like this one provide strong recurring business and will bolster ITT’s sales for green solutions, which today represents approximately 16% of total annual revenue. Svanehøj has booked orders into 2025 and we are well-positioned for the energy transition as we gain share in this segment and expand our backlog.”

These commercial bulk carriers are, according to the company, the first vessels of their size capable of ammonia-fueled operation. They will be outfitted with a dual fueling system of traditional diesel oil and clean fuel. The fuel pumps enable the vessels to use ammonia and additional sustainable fuels.

Deepwell fuel pump; Image Credits: Svanehoj

In January 2024, ITT completed the acquisition of Svanehøj Group A/S. The acquisition was previously announced on Nov. 1, 2023, and was primarily funded through a $300 million term loan that took effect on Jan. 12, 2024. ITT integrated the pump business into its Industrial Process segment, providing highly engineered pumps, valves, and aftermarket services.

Svanehøj’s product portfolio consists of deepwell gas cargo pumps, fuel and energy pumps, and tank control systems for low-emission and green fuels. The company retains leadership positions in ammonia and LPG cargo pumps, LPG fuel pumps, and LNG fuel pumps. Svanehøj is also recognized as an aftermarket provider due to its service capabilities for a large installed base and third-party equipment maintenance.

Svanehøj was founded in 1928 and employs approximately 400 trained professionals with operations in Denmark, Singapore, and France. The company makes approximately half of its annual sales to the customer base in Europe, followed by Asia Pacific, the Americas, and the rest of the world.

Following the acquisition, in March 2024, ITT invested approximately $11 million in its Industrial Process (IP) sites in Obernkirchen, Germany, Vadodara, India, and Dammam, Saudi Arabia to increase its pump testing capabilities and expand the capacity of large project awards for its flow business. These IP sites will grow the company’s power capacity in pump, motor, and control systems testing so that ITT can test larger, more complex pump packages locally. The completion date is expected to be in Q3 2024.

ITT’s Bornemann pumps site in Germany will be able to replicate field conditions using complete unit multiphase fluid testing, with a specialized focus on pump packages installed for global carbon capture and decarbonization applications. The investments at ITT’s Goulds Pumps sites in India and Saudi Arabia will support the company’s future growth strategy— ‘in region, for region’.