Yara International and Azane Fuel Solutions to launch world's first green ammonia bunkering network to the shipping industry

Apr 1

The world's first carbon-free ammonia fuel bunker network is arriving in Scandinavia. Yara International has pre-ordered 15 floating bunkering terminals from Azane Fuel Solutions enabling shipping fleets’ uptake of green ammonia as fuel.

Yara International and Azane Fuel Solutions have signed a commercial agreement to establish a carbon-free ammonia fuel bunker network in Scandinavia. The ammonia bunker terminals will be designed and constructed by Azane Fuel Solutions and delivered to Yara. As one of the world's largest ammonia producers, the global fertilizer company Yara, will use its position to deliver green ammonia to the shipping industry.

The network of carbon-free floating bunkering terminals is a major step towards making shipping fossil-fuel free.

"The collaboration between Azane and Yara is an important milestone in decarbonizing shipping, leveraging Yara Clean Ammonia's extensive production capabilities and global logistics," says Magnus Krogh Ankarstrand, President of Yara Clean Ammonia.
"These bunkering terminals are key pieces of the puzzle to ensure reliable and safe ammonia supply as zero-emission fuel. Yara is excited to be a part of the project and to own and operate the first operational ammonia fuel terminals in the world," says Krogh Ankarstrand.

Last year, the Azane Shareholders, AMON Maritime and ECONNECT Energy received public funds from Norway's Green Initiative program to develop and develop the first pilot unit. They will finance the pilot terminal together with grants from Innovation Norway and the Norwegian Research Council. Subsequently, Yara has pre-ordered 15 units to sufficiently cover the Scandinavian market in a multi-year contract with Azane Fuel Solutions.

“We are pleased to receive this major pre-order of terminals and for the vote of confidence from Yara to help establish their ammonia bunkering strategy in Scandinavia " says Morten A. Christophersen, CEO at ECONNECT Energy and Board Member of Azane Fuel Solutions.

Yara's bunker terminals will be either barge-based or land-based. Both terminal designs have storage tanks and processing capacity for the safe storage, handling, and transfer of ammonia. The bunker terminal is designed for efficient loading and unloading to/from ships and with the option for truck loading and unloading.

Providing reassurance for shipowners going green

Through this agreement, Yara makes green ammonia available as fuel for ships in Scandinavia by 2024. This is a critical step for ammonia-fuelled shipowners.

"For those of us who build ships that will run on green ammonia, this agreement means that we can be sure that the fuel is available for delivery when the first vessels are ready," says André Risholm, CEO at Amon Maritime, Board member of Viridis Bulk Carriers and Chairman of Azane Fuel Solutions.

An important milestone for the ammonia value chain

Ocean Hyway Cluster have been part of the project since the beginning, and it’s a great example showing the importance of collaborating along the value chain. On the one side the partners are working to establish the bunkering infrastructure, making ammonia available to the maritime segment. On the other side, we have Flexbulk, the sister project, who will develop a fleet of ammonia fuelled ships. With this, they are leading the way and demonstrating how to tackle the well-known “chicken and egg” challenge. Kristin Svardal, Innovation Manager.