What does the shipping industry expect from ammonia as an alternative fuel?
According to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), shipping contributes almost 3% of annual carbon dioxide emissions. In 2018, delegates agreed to reduce emissions by 50% from 2008 levels by 2050, so alternative fuels, for example ammonia, must be found.
This colourless fuel emits no carbon dioxide when burned, is abundant and common and can be produced using renewable electricity, water and air. It can also be used in fuel cells and internal combustion engines and, unlike hydrogen, does not need to be stored in high-pressure tanks or cryogenic dewars. For all these reasons, ammonia (NH 3 ) is gaining favour in the global maritime industry, so much so that shipowners and industry analysts say they expect ammonia to play a key role in the decarbonisation of cargo ships.
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