EXMAR: Pioneers in Ammonia Shipping and Propulsion | 40+ Years of Expertise
Safe by Design, Reliable by Operations
EXMAR’s Collaborative Effort in Developing Ammonia-Powered Vessels
Within EXMAR, a dedicated team comprising colleagues from the technical and ship management division supported by other divisions are actively participating in the project, contributing their knowledge and expertise. This collective effort is instrumental in overcoming the various challenges and safety concerns associated with developing this pioneering vessel.
Ammonia Fuel Supply System
- The ammonia fuel supply system will operate similarly to the fuel supply system on EXMAR’s LPG-fueled VLGCs and soon-to-be-delivered MGCs.
- The vessel will have two 500m³ deck tanks that will serve as ammonia bunker tanks, providing enough fuel for approximately 10 days of sailing.
- These bunker tanks can be topped up using some of the cargo if required by the length of the voyage.
- From the deck tanks, ammonia will be pumped to the ammonia fuel supply system, which includes low-pressure pumps, high-pressure pumps, flowmeters, sensors, heat exchangers, filters, and valves, to bring the ammonia to the required physical conditions for the engine. This equipment will be fitted in a dedicated enclosed deck house, adjacent to the compressor room, called the ammonia fuel preparation room.
Ammonia Piping and Engine Integration
- The ammonia piping from the fuel preparation room to the engine room will be a double-walled system.
- All ammonia piping outside the cargo area, including inside the engine, will be double-walled.
- A small amount of pilot fuel (diesel) will be injected into the engine together with the ammonia to ignite the mixture.
- The engine will be able to shift between diesel and ammonia modes in a matter of minutes, and from ammonia to diesel instantaneously, ensuring the vessel’s propulsion requirements can be met at all times.
- Other emission gasses are being handled by the engine after treatment system, making the vessel compliant with all international rules and regulations.
Safety and Maintenance
- A reliable system purge and catch system will be fitted to collect and recondense the ammonia present in the piping and the engine when the vessel is switched back to compliant fuel or for maintenance operations.
For further details, please refer to the FAQ section.