C-Job Naval Architects will integrate Amogy’s ammonia-to-power system into the existing tugboat and lay out the framework for shipyard activities, including retrofitting construction, engine removal and outfitting associated equipment and machinery
After the conversion project, this tug will provide towage services in the US as the first Jones Act ammonia-powered vessel.
Amogy’s technology on board will provide total power output of 1 MW, three times larger than what was field tested on Amogy’s ammonia-powered semi-truck earlier in 2023.
“We are integrating Amogy’s technology into an existing tugboat and will fulfil the crucial risk-based design role that overcomes the challenges with ammonia as a fuel on board a vessel,” said C-Job Naval Architects onsite project manager Hans Stoit.
Amogy will also collaborate with the US Coast Guard and DNV for regulatory and class approvals for this project.
C-Job applied risk-based design on this project, which will push the boundaries of what is possible in terms of using ammonia as a fuel for workboats. Risk-based design is used extensively where overall safety follows from the application of functional rules and risk assessment.
This methodology was applied to design areas including mitigating ammonia emissions, design precautions around potential leaks, and principal design choices to manage hazardous and dangerous zones.
“The to-be-converted vessel will be considered a hybrid vessel with an ammonia-to-electricity power source using Amogy’s technology,” said Mr Stoit.
“With our extensive and broad maritime knowledge of newbuilds, converting and repowering vessels with modern and out-of-the-box technology, and our holistic approach towards all systems in the vessel, together we can make the difference to a scalable and worldwide applicable system towards a greener shipping industry.”
C-Job is an advocate of ammonia as a marine fuel. It published a report in 2019 showing it is possible to safely implement ammonia as a marine fuel when safety measures are included in the design.
There are plans to retrofit tugboat Sakigake in Japan to be powered by ammonia, led by leading Japanese shipowning group NYK and involving ClassNK classification society and international technology groups, with completion expected 2024.
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