Decarbonizing Shipping with Ammonia: Navigating the Promise and Perils of a New Marine Fuel

• By: AWMA
• On: 11/08/2024 11:02:31
• In: EM Articles
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by Bryan Comer

Ammonia has garnered significant attention as a potential alternative fuel, especially in sectors like maritime shipping, where it holds potential to account for about half of shipping's fuel consumption by 2050. Ammonia offers the advantage of being carbon-free at the point of combustion, making it an attractive option for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, ammonia is not without its drawbacks.

For this month's issue, we consider ammonia as a future maritime fuel alternative. The following articles explore ammonia's role from various angles, including its climate impacts, safety concerns, and potential as a future marine fuel. These contributions aim to provide a comprehensive perspective on whether ammonia can be a viable part of the transition toward a zero-emissions future.

In the first article, Lucy Gilliam evaluates the environmental risks associated with using ammonia as a maritime fuel, focusing on its potential impact on biogeochemical cycles and N₂O emissions. Next, Paul Wolfram and Page Kyle explore the potential role of ammonia as a maritime fuel and its impact on the climate. In our third article, Scott Curran and Brian Kaul further elaborate on the potential of ammonia as a new fuel for the maritime sector. Next, Lisa Tostado's article critiques the purported climate benefits of blue ammonia, arguing that, despite its zero-carbon combustion, ammonia's production remains heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Finally, Nora Wissner provides a detailed assessment of ammonia as a marine fuel, focusing on its environmental and health impacts.  

The articles in this issue collectively underscore the promise of ammonia to contribute to decarbonization, particularly in the maritime shipping sector, yet they also highlight significant challenges, including its toxicity, life-cycle emissions, and the need for stringent regulatory frameworks. 

Continue reading the full November 2024 issue of EM.