Transatlantic Green Ammonia Bulk Carrier Pilot

Transatlantic Green Ammonia Bulk Carrier Pilot Photo

Ammonia Powered Bulk Carrier Pilot

Zero Emission Shipping Project
Name: Transatlantic Green Ammonia Bulk Carrier Pilot
Start/End Date: January 2022-April 2023
Project Status: Completed
Point of Contact: Ellen-Kristin Raasok (Research Council of Norway)
Pillar: Ships

Ammonia has been highlighted as one of the more promising future fuels in order to achieve reduced CO2 emissions from shipping. The industry has gained experience with the transportation of ammonia, but there are still several uncertainties related to how well it will work as a fuel for long-distance transportation. This feasibility study (owned by Grieg Maritime Group and facilitated by Green Shipping Program) has evaluated whether it is sustainable to retrofit a ten-year-old ship to operate on green ammonia in a transatlantic trade today.

Project Objective:

The objective of the pilot’s study phase has been to assess the technical and commercial feasibility of retrofitting an open hatch bulk carrier for green ammonia operations in a trans-Atlantic route. What are the key barriers, risks, and possibilities? How does the business case look, and is green ammonia viable as fuel on this specific trade? The pilot-case relates to a specific vessel type, in a defined geography (Europe, North- and South America) with an established value chain. Through five work-streams, commercial, technical, infrastructural, financial and operational aspects were explored.

Project Milestones:

  • January 2022: The pilot was initiated.
  • February 2022: The pilot was approved as a ZESM pilot by the ZESM Executive Committee.
  • January 2022 – January 2023: The project team worked in five workstreams.
  • January 2023: The pilot report was published: Amonia Powered Bulk Carrier Pilot Report
  • March – April 2023: The results of the pilot were presented in an open GSP seminar and a ZESM workshop.


Leading Members:

Grieg Maritime Group was the pilot owner, and Green Shipping Program (GSP) was the facilitator. Zero-Emission Shipping Mission (ZESM) was invited in as a partner.
Grieg Maritime Group LogoGreene Shipping Programme Logo









Project Participants:

The companies that have contributed to the work in this pilot are, in alphabetical order and in addition to Grieg Maritime Group and Green Shipping Programme:

ABB, Ammonia, Breeze Ship Design, Chevron, Daphne Technology, DNB, DNV, DSB, G2Ocean, Hyundai Global Service, Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, MAN, Oshima Shipbuilding, OSM Maritime, Norwegian Maritime Authority, Skuld, Suzano, UMOE Advanced Composites, Wärtsilä, Yara, and Zero-Emission Shipping Mission.